Thank you, Ashley for my cocoa swap box. Unfortuntely, my little miss sunshine ran off with most of it including the little Goofy who now resides with the stuffed animal farm. I did snap a picture of the yarn though.
It is 100% Bamboo and a pale pink. Not sure what I will do with it yet.
The Princess and I are participating in Walk Now for Autism to help find a cure for autism for all the children effected but especially for our own Little Miss Sunshine (and that is the name of our team too!).
Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 150 children born today including Miss Sunshine. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon. Walk Now for Autism is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness.
Please join us in our fight as we raise funds for essential research. The Princess and I will be walking on September 20th and would like you to support those affected by autism. You can donate to Walk Now for Autism or join our team online through our webpage at http://www.walknowforautism.org/. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on our page. Our team name is Little Miss Sunshine, named for our own Little Miss Sunshine of course.
Please join us in our fight against autism. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today.
Follow this link to visit the team page for Little Miss Sunshine. Follow this link to visit My page.
Thank you for just even looking. Thank you even more for donating!!!
AUTISM SPEAKS!!!
I just found out on Wednesday that the knitting group that i go to is in the Stich N Bitch Page A day Calender! how cool is that?! So if you have it, go to the Month of August and I think we are on the 20th.
Oh and yes, I am in the picture on the left side standing. At the time when the picture was taken, it was before I cut my hair for Locks of Love so my hair is very long. The group is called MontCo. Sit and Knit and the group organizer wrote a very nice group description.
Pretty cool!
Here is most of my dishcloth cotton stash. What I could find in one place anyway.
You would think I would move on to bigger and better things being that I have been knitting for a very long, long time. Nope. I get requests predominately for washcloths, scarves and as the title suggests, hats.
The other day the Princess, Miss Sunshine and I went over to my Mom's house with all three of us sporting hats I had made and my Mom asked where was hers. Um, I had made her a hat two years ago does she need a new one? Of course she does!
So now I am busy making my Mom a hat using my favorite yarn Blue Sky Cotton in the color Thistle. She wants me to make her a hat similar to the one I recently made Miss Sunshine so that is what Mom is getting.
I did twist the stitches so I did have to cast on twice today. How fun is that?!?
I hope I can finish it before my parents return from their trip
Ah yes, another tag meme' got to love it... I haven't done one of these in a long time and I will most likely not pass it one since I am late running off to some where or procrastinating calling a therapist so here goes... oh I was tagged by Alaina so please go stop by her blog and leave her tons of comments!
Here is what I have to do....List 7 Random Facts about Me. Da rules say they must be posted to your blog. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you (did that).List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. Tag seven random people (yea don't think am gonna do that) at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again!
1. My favorite animal is a giraffe. I collect wooden sculptures of them, have gone to the Philly zoo to sketch them and have even done some painting of them. I think Miss Sunshine even likes them since she keeps selecting a stuffed Giraffe at her pre-school
2. I have this penchant for what we around here call "crap" TV especially now that there is a writer's strike. I watch Project Runway and Top Chef, not so crappy but I also watch America's Next Top Model, Make Me a Super Model, Millionaire Matchmaker Rock of Love (ok that one is very rare) ok you get the picture
3. If you have every been in a swap with me, you know all my regular allergies but what you don't know is that I am also allergic to Beer. Yes, go ahead, feel sorry for me
4. When I was younger I wanted to be an eye doctor till I dissected the frog for the first time in 7th grade. ewww
5. Until I had graduated from college I had never visited my state's capital city (Harrisburg)
6. I am the oldest granddaughter on my Mom's side of the family and am named for my maternal great-grandmother and The Princess is the oldest granddaughter on her maternal side and is named for her maternal great-grandmother.
7. I still have a magic 8 ball that my girls now play with
Okay that is all she wrote!!
Yesterday was a rough one all around. The Princess had to be picked up from school, strep throat. She at least stayed long enough for the book fair and we bought a few books. Had to go to the doctor and everything. That was fun with the two of them in tow.
Miss Sunshine also had occupational therapy which started off terrible and you can read about that here. Then when she usually is okay with going in herself almost 99.9% of the time, I had to be there the entire time with her. I bet because of what happened in the waiting room. Her therapy session isn't as good when I am in the room with her. At least she got something it.
Then when we got home she was a mess all around as if she never had any therapy, ever. Running around, throwing things, jumping, flapping, mumbling, the works. I felt terrible for her and the princess because the princess was sick. My husband had the audacity of not only asking what was for dinner but wanting since he was leaving for New Orleans he thought we needed some grown up time. Yea right. Grown up time, what is that? The kids were attached to my hip and Miss Sunshine even fell asleep literally on top of me. I barely had time to finish the baby sweater I am making for a friend who I think either delivered today or will tomorrow since will be inducing her.
Yes, my parents got married one day after my Mom's birthday. I guess my dad didn't want to be able to forget either one. And yes, they got married in January even though my Mom hates the winter and the snow so as my family tradition goes.....
Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary, HAPPY anniversary! Happy, happy, happy , happy happy anniversary. Happy, happy, happy , happy happy anniversary!
Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary, HAPPY anniversary! Happy, happy, happy , happy happy anniversary. Happy, happy, happy , happy happy anniversary!
Many, Many, Many more to come!!!
For the Hot Cocoa Swap the topic of the week....
What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?
When I was 12, my family went on what I still to this day call a whirlwind vacation. My oldest cousin was getting married in Panama City , Panama during the summer so we started there. We saw the Panama Canal which was incredible, a once in a lifetime experience! From there, we fly this mini 8 seater plane to a small Island off the coast called Contadora. We spent close to two weeks there with some cousins deep sea fishing, sun bathing, snorkeling, you name it. After that we went to my Mom's home Country of Colombia for a while. Two of my other cousins were graduating from high school. We had been to Colombia many times, in fact every summer since birth practically. After some touring and visiting of friends and relatives, we flew back to the states to Miami to visit more friends and relatives and ended the summer with an extended trip to Disney World.
Definitely a vacation to remember!
"Defeat the Winter Doldrums" Dishcloth Swap topic of the week....
There are many people who ADORE receiving hand-knit or crochet items; but there are just as many who have no appreciation whatever of how much love, work, and time goes into a hand-made item. Share a story of a hand-made gift you gave to someone and how it worked out - good, bad, or ugly!
Practically ALL of my knit items are gifted away. I rarely ever keep any of them myself except perhaps the rare hat or once in a blue moon the rare scarf and then those get stolen by my daughters in the end anyway. I have even been known to sell a washcloth and soap bag or two with my handmade soaps :-) It pays for the yarn LOL.
I do have one story that isn't really bad, per say, but she never put the sweater on her baby. She thought the sweater was too precious to be worn by her spitting up, throwing up, crying little infant so instead she bought one of those preservation boxes and put it in that with the card I had made and hung it in the babies room as wall decoration instead. I told her it was made to be worn and to be seen and could be washed in the washing machine but, she refused. She insisted it was too gorgeous, the yarn was simply to incredible and must have taken me too long to make to be wasted and she wanted it to be kept and a remembrance. It still hangs in the child's room.
If you are a fan of Billy Joel's, you need to check out this wonderful Presentation. This guy put pictures and words to "We Didn't start the Fire" It is just amazing!
For the Hot Cocoa Swap the question of the week....
What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood? I know it's not knitting content, but I love learning about the little quirks and interesting things about people!
Yes, that is a bit of a quirky question and so open ended. I wasn't even sure where I wanted to go with my answer. I mean there are so many 'random' memories from my childhood.
I remember once going to this children's clothing store with my Mom in the very late 70's and the sales lady kept wanting to show me this bright colorful clothes, corduroy pants, out of control sweaters . All I wanted was black. Mind you I was something like 8 or 9. I wanted black pants, black dresses an black tops. I must have been in a mood or something. My Mom finally relented and got me one of each but, still bought the bright stuff so I'd "fit it".
Of Course a few years later the style was basic black and I told my Mom, I told you do ;-)
Another swap, another topic of the week. "Defeat the Winter Doldrums" Dishcloth Swap topic of the week....
Dishrag. Dishcloth. Face cloth. I've seen folks get all fired up in forums when someone refers to their knit or crochet creation as a dishrag, as that's somehow offensive to them! When you're working on yours, what do you call them? Also, is there a difference between a dishrag and a dishcloth? How bout a facecloth? Are they all really the same thing?
It is all one and the same to me. I actually call it a washcloth because I us them with the handmade soaps I make. If you use it for what ever purpose, what difference does it make what you call it? In fact, to be honest, when I first started making them, I made a variety of those fancy patterns and kept them in a container till I had enough squares to make a baby blanket then sewed them all together to make a very adorable baby blanket for a friend. Now I just make "cloths" to give with my soaps.
I had a great weekend with some knitting friends. We chatted, knitted, drank wine, knitted, ate, knitted, slept, knitted... you get the picture.
I finished Miss Sunshine's green hat and she was very happy with it. However, she wouldn't model it so, I got the Princess to do it.
The pattern comes from a book called "101 Designers One-Skein Wonders" The pattern is called Child's Hat with Pom Pom and it is on page 111. I used Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton to make the hat because of course I could not use the wool the designer recommended.
I next casted on a cardigan for my good friend's baby who is to be born I think at the end of January beginning of February. The pattern is called Easy Peasy Cardigan by Little Knits which you can download here. I am already on the second side of it and then all I need is to sew up the seams. When I have a picture, I will post it.
The Princess would like to work on her blog, so time to sign off. Have a great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Do something for your community today!
Heading off for some knitting fun and relaxation. The girls are spending the weekend with my parents which they are so very much looking forward to doing.
See you when I get back and I hope I have some FOs or at least some projects started
Ah, yes, another baby hat for yet another to be born baby
For the Hot Cocoa Swap the question of the week....
Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?
My knitting doesn't change in the winter. I still have a gazillion babies to knit for, I still don't like long, intricate projects that take a long time to knit and I still can't knit with animal fibers so there isn't much to change ;-) Miss Sunshine wants a new hat that is 100% green (her current one is 50% pink, 50% green)
I'd like to try Rowan Calmer, which is a blend of cotton and acrylic, this winter. Other than that, status quo
She might be young. She might be cute. She might look innocent. She might have the most adorable smile you have ever seen. She might give warm hugs, sweet kisses and smell like chocolate chip cookies but, she knitting's worst enemy.
That is right, Little Miss Sunshine strikes again! She has been on hiatus for quite some time but those double pointed needles sticking out of my knitting bag must have look oh so good to her and RIP! GRAB! RUN! Out it went. Grrrrr... Baby hat to fix. Thankfully (or unfortunately) I am too used to this and fixing was oh so easy.
Miss Sunshine is angry with me because she doesn't like her pink and green hat anymore. She wants a 100% green hat and she wants it yesterday. She won't wear it. Nor will she wear the yellow one nor the Raspberry colored ones I have either, "Those are Princess colored!!".
Guess what project is skipping ahead of all others and going on the needles next? I guess my cousin and good friend who are having babies at the end of January/beginning of February will have to wait because Miss Sunshine comes first!!
Yet, another swap questionnaire for the swap addicted this time for the "Defeat the Winter Doldrums" Dishcloth Swap a favorite swap where the name changes but the concept does not.
1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? Knit Only
2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? I prefer Bamboo or other wooden needles
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any that you've been wanting to try? I like Peaches & Creme, Sugar N Cream and even love using KnitPicks Shine Worsted
4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)? My Kitchen is very neutral being that it is white with very little blue trimming. Same with my bathroom
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite? Favorite are purple, pink, lime green. Least favorites at the moment are neon bright
6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends? I cannot stand winter especially the snow and ice. I count the days still spring. I would miss the seasons changing but why can't we just skip the winter one? ;-)
7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps? I'd do something fun with my daughters
8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps? A really good milk chocolate. Chocolate can always cheer you up
9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa? All three but not at the same time, LOL. It depends on my mood which one is necessary
10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do? Right now I would love to get away from the cold but since I have been sick, I just need a break from the every day so perhaps some place where I can get some rest and relaxation
11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of? Ah the allergy question. Well for starters, if you are going to send food, not an allergy but just make sure it is vegetarian, it will make it easier on yourself, trust me. Second, I am allergic to animal fiber yarns like wool, mohair, cashmere, etc. I just stay away from all animal yarns including silk. Check the labels to make sure they aren't in any blends too. I am also allergic to lanolin and silicone (you’d find them in body products), cats, most dogs, cigarette smoke and fresh cut grass. Aren't you glad you asked?
