So I Picked Up the Hook

I got this yarn because there is a premie baby I wanted to make a hat for, because his is way to big at the hospital and I wanted to make some baby booties to go with it. He has his picture made every Friday and this week he is 4 weeks, and that puts him 33wks (5-7 weeks before he was suppose to be born). He made it last week to 2.6 lbs. He is so tiny. Back to the yarn, I love this yarn. It is so soft.


So, I picked up the hook and here is the outcome for this weeks projects. They are so tiny and so sweet. The booties are suppose to be 3" long. His foot is 2 1/8" long. Room to grow. Not much though. See the needle to the side, I used that to show you the length.

Well, we did a little remodeling this weekend, my back bathroom. While I was working away on my booties, all the men were laying tile in the bathroom. It is going to look so much better, considering, the floor got pulled up before it rotted (thank goodness). We had our works "Hail and Farewell (minus the Farewell)" last night at the Dr. I work for house. I work for 2 Drs. who were military. So after we had 9 new employees join in the last year (not a big turn over, just adding more to the group, due to so much research and so many trauma's that need surgery). The military Drs. figured it was time to "Hail" us in to the group. It was very nice. His wife had a white chocolate bread pudding that was to die for. Since I do his clinic day, I will have to get in good enough to get the recipe.

Well, that is about it. Just waiting to start my Knit1 Tea2 . I think in the mean time I will finish some projects I left on the needle and start another project, can't say it might be someones birthday present. I am going to send my Color Swap 2007 month August off next Saturday along with some goodies for a few special girls.

Until next time...........

For Charity

There is a contest going on at Anne's blog. She is just interested in knowing what charity interest you and why. Well, I like to make baby hats, and regular hats. Don't have the patience for blankets, just ask my son. I just can not pick his back up, takes way to long. So, I would have to say preemie hats, like the one I am doing now, but the one my heart is really in, is chemo caps. I have worked in the medical field for 15 years. Last year I worked at childrens hospital and everytime I had to take a patient (a kid) upstairs to be admitted to the cancer floor and they had lost their hair, well it rips my heart out. It broke my heart for the child and the parents. When I left to work in a cardiology clinic, I had to walk through the oncology clinic and I would see all those very sick pts without any hair and it broke my heart all over again. I can work with any type patient but cancer patients. I think cancer is a cruel disease. So, my real charity I would want to donate to, is Chemo Caps for all those bald heads in winter for kids and adults. I want to donate to our local hospital, I just don't know how many I could get done by winter. I feel like that is how I can give back to those patients, since it breaks my heart to take care of them.

Some Finished Projects and some New Ones Started

So, after my very productive weekend I have a few finished projects. I finished my Mandy's Candy Bag. I will probably make another one but with brighter colors. I like bright. So, Here is to you Amanda! Thanks for the cute pattern. Perfect for little presents.



I finished these stitchmarkers and another set, that everytime I took a picture they blurred. They are for a special someone, they are in teapots.

Well, I started a new project. There is a Dr. who works with us. He just had a little boy 28 weeks early. So, I am making a very tiny premie hat. I have put down the needles and I have picked up the hook, just temporary. He is soooooo tiny. He weighs like 2lbs. So, his hat is so little. I will post when I finish this tiny project. I am also going to make some tiny little booties for him.

Our tea party is about to start at the Knit1 Tea2 swap, so I will be making some goodies there for someone. I have in mind what it will be. I can not wait to get my partner, so I can get started on it too.

PIF Exchange

I was over visiting Alaina last Sunday and she had an exchange going, it is based on the movie "Pay It Forward" with Helen Hunt. I haven't seen it yet, but I am going to go rent it, maybe today. They have it in a book and I would prefer to read but not enough time.


"Here is how it works! I'll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange!I don't know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week...LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, that's a promise! and it will be something yummy!! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog..."So the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog, I can't wait to see who you are! I have some great treats in stall for you all, just you wait and see!

Successful Saturday

I got up this morning and got ready to do my running around. Before I left my house, the mail came, and so did my prize from the DDoS contest I won. I got some Sugar n Cream multi color cotton yarn and some awesome Blue Sky Alpaca cotton yarn in a deep turquoise blue color. There is some summer note cards and a gardenia scented pouch. So, two days in a row, I got swag. Thank you Anne for my great prize! So, I got ready and off to the post office I went to mail my package to my DDoS pal. I hope her chocolate does not melt. It was 102 degrees here.


I went by my LYS and in hunt for some non-animal yarn for my Color Swap 2007 pal, and found all kinds of stuff. I got some awesome felting yarn that stripes and some cotton sock yarn and a book to try my hand at socks, when I get ready. You see it is a crochet sock book, that is because I don't like dpns and the knitting looks really difficult for socks. I taught myself to do both crochet and knit, so I can have the best of both worlds. While I was there I walked down the sidewalk to the sewing store 2 doors down and set myself up for my 1st sewing class. It takes place September 8th at 1pm. Who needs football, when you got crafting to do, right?

I went and picked up the rest of my kids school supplies, went grocery shopping. Got a 3 drawer organizer to organize all the yarn that seems to be growing every week(Lacey, you will be proud). Anyone who knows me, knows I like to shop or I use to, well I admit I have a slight problem, every payday instead of shopping for clothes, I buy yarn and goodies. When it cools off I will have to designate one of MY shopping weekend to the boys for school clothes.

After dinner I made some stitch markers that I will post tomorrow. So, now that I have blogged and emailed it is time to go to bed. Early start for tomorrow. Church in the morning.

My Dishcloths

Here is my dishcloths for my pal. I hope she likes them. The soap smells wonderful. It is handmade by Sharon. Sharon is my swap partner in the Color Swap 2007, month August (it is not a secret swap). Thank you Sharon, you have my advertisement.

DDoS Swap

Look at what I came home to today. It is from my DDoS spoiler, Karen R.. She sure did spoil me. 2 dishclothes, one says knit now/dishes later (there are many days I feel like that), with some of her favorite lemon dish soap. A book of dishcloth patterns, that I can not wait to try. Some Stash tea, a new flavor I tried tonight and Love it. She sent me some carmel corn with peanuts. The two white bags in the back are pancake/waffle mix and biscuit mix from her hometown in South Carolina. She sent special recipes to go with the mixes, can not wait to make something. All the recipes sound so delicious. It doesn't stop there I got note cards, cute summer memo pad, pencils, a big bag of kid candy (the boys are seeing to it that I share). Karen sent some Yellow Peaches and Cream and some TLC Cotton Plus in Lavender. I can not wait to use it. I love it all Karen. You took alot of time in spoiling me. I love to bake and cook. Thank You for all of it. I also enjoyed my emails from you, they would always come at a time when I needed that extra something and it would leave me smiling. For my first swap, I sure did hit the jack pot. I hope my pal likes hers as much as I like mine.

Swap Info.......

First things first. I finally won a contest. I don't think I have ever had my name pick to win anything. I am so excited and can't wait to see what I get. I have really enjoyed my first swap (DDoS), the hostess Anne and Chan are great and make things so much fun. They both have answered many questions I have had about knitting and different projects.
Second line of business,

Knit 1 Tea 2 Color Swap Questionaire

• Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?I use bags but would love to try loose tea, wanted to try for a while.

• What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)? I love Stash Tea's. I have not tried not one I don't like. I love Chai and Chai mixes, fruity teas are good too. My Dr. says it is best for me to come off caffeine (I know that stinks), so I am going to have to say decaf.

• Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white) (keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up).I like black, white, and green. Black is my favorite.

• Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?I love the idea of the teapot and have one and love it, but I heat my water up all the time when I want tea.

• What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?I would love a tea strainer so I could try loose tea.

• How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).I love pedicures, I love a good hot bath or shower, and when I am not enjoying tea, I love to go to Starbucks and get Lattes (my 8 year son even tells me on the weekend, that I should treat myself, only so he can go and get something, coming from him I usually do.).

• If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?I am new to the yarn world and I am learning, I would say in the summer a good cool cotton, and in winter a wool or wool blend, to stay warm.

• If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why? I would say fun fur scarf or baby booties, don't have the patience for a sweater.

• What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)My son's baseball game (it is serious business)

• What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)Crustless sandwiches, scones, little muffins, petite pastry trays, or my Great grandmother fried apple pies.

• When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?A little of both, just depends on the project and if it is a good substitute.

• What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?Tote bags.

• Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?I am not that experience, I will miss stitches and mess the whole thing up.

• Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?I have tea cups and saucers, but I like my big mugs.

• Favorite childhood birthday party? I was about 7 years old and at one of our malls in Birmingham, there was Restraunt/ Icecream place. My parents took about 5 of my girlfriends and we had a ice cream birthday party. The restraunt had old timey memorbilia and was just a really neat place. Then my friends came over and slept over. Very fun!

• Favorite type of scone and jam? I love any type of scone/or muffins. My favorite jam is, it does not go with scones really but I love it with cream cheese and crackers. It is made by company called Ravens Nest locally (they make great apple cider mix) it is Rasberry pepper jam. Its sweet but with a little kick. I like cream cheese - pineapple, strawberry, any fruited. I also love pumpkin and apple butter.

• If you use candles, what is your favorite scent? I like ocean for the bathroom, the den and kitchen anything homey scent, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel pears, or just pear, apple, gingerbread at christmas.

• If you could choose 3 people to have 'tea' with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead). My grandmother on my fathers side, My Nana and my sister. Both my grandmother and Nana I would be able to sit down and enjoy tea with. My Nana would see too it we would have some fried apple pies and my sister, well she always lives away and I cherish any time I get to spend with her (whether its tea time or any time).

• You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)? If it is formal, then I would wear a cute short full dress. If it is casual, either pants or a summer sun dress. I would wear a hat if I could find one I like. I am a girly girl when it comes to dressing.
• Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to? I am not allergic to anything.
• Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?This is my second swap and I loved the first one. I know Chan our hostess is super and I can not wait to get started making something new.

Well that finished my business. Now I just have to get packed to go spend a weekend in Atlanta (Six Flags tomorrow). At least while driving I can be knitting.

Cute Bag - Free Pattern

Hey there is a free pattern for a cute bag at nh knitting mama's . It is called the candy bag. She has a contest going as well. If you link to her post on your blog about the bag, you will get your name in a drawing to win some swag. If you knit the bag and post a picture, you will get 5 more chances plus the 1 for the link = 6 chances to win. Happy Knitting!

Look What I Made

When you get into crafts and you learn something new, you are always excited about your 1st completed project. Well, I wanted to make some stitch markers for my swap pal in DDoS dishcloth exchange. I followed the directions on this website and it was so easy. So here they are.

My Birthday, Today!

Today is my Birthday. It was a good day. My family called and sang "Happy Birthday this morning. The singing gets better and better every year, especially the one who got up to sing to me at 4:00 in the morning (my sister). Its a tradition in our family, no matter how bad we might sound on the other end, you get "Happy Birthday" sang to you. I got to work and Becky one of the nurses sang to me too. I didn't tell anyone it was my birthday, so they got me back. On Thursdays we have research lunch and we go to a restraunt and eat while discussing all the different studies going on. The Drs. and nurses I work with had them sing and bring me desert.
It was great. They let me go home early today since it was my day. So, I went to the store and picked up some Rib-Eyes to grill and some Baked Potatos for dinner. What a good day! Thanks for everyone making it so special!

Happy Early Birthday

Hey there is a contest going on at http://www.knitinggal.blogspot.com/ I got the info from one of the pals from the DDoS dishclothswap. Check it out.

Well, every July we try as a family to get together one time during the month to celebrate all the birthdays that fall during the month We have my mom on the 8th, my brother on the 16th, my son on the 24th, and mine on the 26th. Today was it. We went to my moms and had pizza for dinner (kids love it) and my mom decide to change things up and instead of a cake she decided to have Ice cream sandwiches. Just a little different. I love celebrating my birthday early cause I get my present from my mom early. It is always a unique something. So this is what I got.

It's a glass purse. To decorate a room around and a gift card to New York Company. We are in the process of redecorating room by room. We have done one of my sons last weekend and we began the other son this weekend. It will take a little more work (that is a whole other post). Back to today. It was fun to get together (we missed you Lacey and Geoff).

I got home and well I had an accident today, I was getting all the kids cups out of the car at the gas station and those red archy poles they put on each side of the gas pump so they don't get hit, I didn't see and turned right onto the red pole.
Yes, I would have a white car. Well, I got the option when I got home, either I can get a laptop for my birthday or I can get a insurance deductible and get the car fix. It is looking like getting my car fix, Happy Birthday to me! I have a few more days, maybe something better will happen by the time it gets here.

DDoS 2nd Contest Answers

The DDoS dishcloth swap has another contest going. They want to know what is something you have made or been given that you REALLY like. I have several unfinished projects but out of my completed I like my four corners dishcloth. I got the pattern from Abigail's site. I have made several of them.
I do have a favorite given item as well, its the bag my sister gave me for Christmas and my first knitting book "The Stitch and Bitch". I have enjoyed both. As you can see I am person who likes very bright and vivid colors.

I think besides what I have going, I want to try handbags. As the handbag swap is wrapping up, I have seen some very cute bags. I really liked this one

from Mary's site. I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I have not used it yet, so once I get use to it, I want to make me a needle case and hook case. Anyone have a good pattern?

I have been working on my pals goods to send to her. I hope to finish by next week.

Well until next time.

New to Blogging

I guess I should update my blog. I am new to this blogging world, don't have a clue unless I confirm with my sister what to do. I have not posted pictures yet, guess I could put one of those up. I would love to know how to make my button on the sidebar go to my swap link, haven't figured that one out (will take any advice). I tried the step by step instructions someone posted but it does not link my swap picture to the link.

I am loving the DDoS swap (its my 1st). I got my pal and I have been snooping her site for ideas. Gotten a few ideas, and started her dishcloth.

Well, that is all that has been going on.

Until next time.

Contest Answers

1. Christy T. crochets.
2. Diana C. has never made dishcloths.
3. Besides me Val D. has been knitting less than a year.
4. Alana R. has been knitting/crocheting for about 45 years.
5. Barb N. is from Canada.

This is my first swap and I am already having fun.

Until next time.

Dog days of summer questionaire and answers

1. Do you knit, or crochet, or do both? How long have you been knitting\crocheting? I do both I knit and crochet since January.
2. Have you knit dishcloths or dishtowels before? Yes
3. What are your favorite cotton yarns? Is there a cotton or linen you’ve been dying to try but have not? I am not to knowledgable about yarn, I use the peaches and cream, and sugar and cream but would be willing to try others if given the chance.
4. Are there any cotton yarns you don’t enjoy knitting with? Not really
5. What type of needle do you prefer using? (Metal/Wood/Plastic) Wood
6. What other projects do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? Well I am trying my hand at a tank sweater - knitting, I have started doing my first chemo cap to give away.
7. Do you have other hobbies or enjoy other kinds of crafting? I like to smock.
8. What kind of treats do you like? Chocolate? Candies? Nuts? I like kid candy: airheads, sweettarts, sprees, sour straws, gum. I like chocolate and my favorite is the chocolate covered blueberries at starbucks.
9. What colors are your kitchen and bath decorated in, if any? Kitchen- yellow, teal, sage green, red. Bathroom- 1. teal 2. tan
10. What are your favorite colors and what colors do you dislike? I love pink for myself. Not a fan of forest green.
11. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Other beverages? I love starbucks drinks. I drink hot tea every morning (Tazo, or stash). I like diet dr. pepper.
12. Do you have any kids (human or pet variety!)? 2 boys 6 & 7
13. Do you have any allergies? Cats, bees, and some antibiotics
14. Please share 3 tidbits about yourself that you think your pal and other swappers might find odd or interesting. I am a trauma research nurse at UAB (University of Alabama Birmingham), I like sushi, I love helicopters, airplanes and any aircraft that flies (including space).
    
    Well, until next time.