Spring Tote

The Lion Brand All-Occasion tote is the handbag I made for myself years ago. One day I got the urge to be an extreme-crafty person, not to be mistaken with extreme-sporty person, but it's right up there for me.
It was supposed to look like this...

but turned out like this...

This is my version of the All-Occasion tote bag. I customized my bag quite a bit... I omitted the puffs, added lining on the inside, added a drawstring, lengthened the shoulder strap and attached webbing to it, to prevent further stretching. It's held up great so far and has been admired by true crafty people, which is a great compliment.

Shown in the photo is my homemade handy-dandy
crochet hook holder with sharpee markings and all.
Simple and functional.

After I finish my slouchy cardigan I will be starting a new All-Occasion tote bag. I'm thinking more of a double-handle, longstrap tote.... we will see. The yarn is 100% cotton Lily Sugar'n Cream in Spring Meadows - perfect color for the season.

A Little R & R

I've been craving the Slouchy Cardigan for the longest time now.
The pattern is found in the Greetings from Knit Cafe book by Suzan Mischer, which I've had in my knitting book collection for years.
As I often do with brand new knitting books or magazines I bring home, I immediately dive into them, skim through the patterns and mark everything I fancy.
While absorbing the deliciousness of every pattern and fantasizing knitting all of them, this cardigan suddenly grabbed my full-attention. Personally, I feel this sweater epitomizes everything having to do with rest and relaxation. It was big. It was comfy. It was slouchy, and I loved it, so I immediately marked it with a post-it... and it remained "posted" for a few years.

This afternoon, I finally committed myself to this project.
As soon as I was off from work, I drove straight to the store to purchase the skeins needed for my slouchy cardigan. I'm ready!
I also grabbed some chocolate because sometimes a girl just needs chocolate.

FO's

I give you the baby Who? Hat. This will definitely be a repeat knit.
Pattern: Who? Hat by Sara Amoroso
Needle Size: US5 circular
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby sport dk - baby denim marl
Notes: I decided against the button eyes for obvious safety reasons, but it's still a darn cute hat.

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The heavily modified chevron scarf was bravely modeled by this charming bust form.
The edges are curling and that really bothers me. I haven't given it a good blocking, so I'm hoping it will take care of it.
If not... ya got me...don't know what to do.
Pattern: Chevron Scarf by Mary Jarred
Needle Size: US8
Yarn: Berroco Cotton Twist
Notes: This pattern was heavily modified. Instead of casting on 36sts, I started with 24 sts, then revised the pattern accordingly.

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Last night, I needed something simple and quick to knit...instant gratification, if you will. Since I have a lot of Lion Brand Thick & Quick yarn from a sweater that, I can confidently say, was never meant to be, I decided to put it to good use. Thank you to Leslie at a-friend-to-knit-with for sharing the Chunky Knit Beanie pattern.
Pattern: Chunky Knit Beanie by Leslie Friend
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
Needle Size: 2 - US15 circular needles
Notes: I decided to knit the beanie in the round. I have a love/hate relationship with dpn's... I don't own size 15 dpn's, instead I used two circular needles for the decrease.

"Your girl is lovely, Hubbell...."

It's Time to Revamp

I got 14" out of one skein and seeing that I only have 3 skeins of a discontinued color lot, I have to do some major pattern revisions.

I'm hoping the next update is the finished scarf. Back to the drawing board.

*correction - The scarf is actually 16 " but I'm still short by a few feet when multiplied by 3... sigh.

The Berroco Way

A few years ago I found these beautiful skeins at a cute little knitting shop in La Mesa called, Two Sisters and Ewe. The yarn was bright and cheerful and perfect for Spring. I knew I had to have them, but since I was still somewhere in the beginning stages of my knitting skills, I didn't know exactly what to make with a yarn that was 30% rayon and 70% cotton....slick and slippery.

They have been sitting in my knitting bag waiting patiently for their transformation into the perfect, something-or-other.

Today I had an epiphany...I have decided to knit up the ever-popular chevron scarf with this lovely yarn.
Stay tuned for more details and photos.
TGIF!!

Baby Hats

The sailboat blankie was gifted and greatly appreciated. Tiny socks and knit-jersey caps were purchased and included in the gift bag along with a knitted cap, which I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the other day. Oh well.
I'm on a roll with all the baby knitting and I'm hooked. I decided to knit one more, okay, two more baby caps. They're so much fun to make, but since I don't have a baby around to model the hats for me, I have to estimate the sizes (that's a ball of yarn under the hat).

Can you guess which hat pattern I'm knitting up?
The Whoville people would be so proud.

HAPPY EARTH DAY

Saturday Movie

My movie of the evening... Win A Date With Tad Hamilton.
I've watched this movie many times and never get tired of it.
Although Josh Duhamel is hot, Topher Grace wins my date.

One of my favorite songs in the movie is
Shining by Kristian Leontiou.
Enjoy!

Feeling Like The Pink Power Ranger

A few days ago I found out my friend Cathy is going to participate in the San Diego Breast Cancer 3Day for the third year in a row. Yay!! (click on the blue link or pink ribbon to donate)
I'm really excited for her. She puts in a lot of time and energy towards this event, trying to raise money to reach her goal and having fun at the same time. There's no question that I will gladly help her out in whichever way I can (pink scarves) to raise money.
As I scanned the room for a pink object to photograph for this pink post, I came across this Christmas gift I received from a friend, TKK, that I had forgotten about until now.

It's pepper spray! And look! ~~~~~> It's in a pink container!
My friend knows I am always out-and-about alone and very thoughtfully gifted me my first Sabre Red pepper spray. Awe!
As I was preparing to take it out of its plastic contraption, um, container (these are harder than heck to open sometimes), I stopped to read the package. It points out that a donation is made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation every time this item is purchased.
Excellent! Thanks TKK!

Then I read the back...

The instructions inform us about the proper use of pepper spray. Okay, I can see someone accidentally spraying their eyes without reading the warning first.

Then I read this...

AFTER SPRAYING THE ATTACKER, ESCAPE IMMEDIATELY AND CALL POLICE, DO NOT TRY TO CAPTURE ATTACKER.

You know... if I'm ever assaulted, (God forbid) and spray the assailant, I don't think I would stick around to find out if I had good aim and then attempt to capture my attacker and hold him for the police. But, thanks Sabre Red for putting it in black and white for us. I guess some people just need to see things in writing to figure it out.

Yarn With A Twist

I give you the Twisted Vine Neckwarmer. As I was knitting this neckwarmer, I was thinking I was going to be among hundreds that have already knit this project. I just checked Ravelry...it's only 25. I need to spread the word about this beautiful garment.
I really enjoyed making this scarf and after getting over the knitting hurdle (intimidating pattern) it was a breeze. Now I need one for myself.

Pattern: Twisted Vine Neckwarmer by Grace Mcewen
Yarn: Vanna's Choice Yarn in Olive
Needle Size: US 9 circular
Notes: The pattern is well written and easy to follow. The only thing I changed a bit was the seam. I preferred to pick up stitches on the first piece as I started to knit the second. The seam was still visible but not very bulky, which is what I was trying to achieve.

This picture shows my feeble attempt at knitting a baby hat. I'm not giving up, just yet.

A Buck Goes A Long Way

...or at least in the middle east, it goes a long way and beyond.
The Pioneer Woman held her ever-popular "smartypants" quiz on her blog the other day.
She posted six aerial pictures of notable locations and the first person to identify all six correctly won a gift card from amazon.com.
After looking at the pictures I realized I only knew three out of the six. My brain is turning into mush. Of course, I did what any good sleuth would do...I googled!

The aerial view below was picture #1... I thought it was the Florida Keys...wrong!
When the answers were revealed I found out it was Palm Island in Dubai, UAE.
This is what happens when you have too much money...you MAKE your own island and build mansions on strips of sand.

If you would like a closer look you can google map it and zoom in or read about it on wikipedia - Palm Jumeirah. Many of the mini-mansions/villas have swimming pools in their yards, even though they are literally a few feet away from the water!
Don't get me wrong, I think it's amazing someone can actually build an island and develop the land with hotels and villas but, I wonder if these people ever had to worry about student loans?
I highly doubt it. (just a random thought)

The Smooth Sounds of James Taylor

Last week I happen to catch James Taylor on The Oprah show.
James Taylor is such a mellow guy but from what I caught on The Oprah Show, he had a somewhat colorful past. -- Interesting --
I can't imagine JT being any other color than beige. No matter, I love his songs...they take me way back....back to...um, junior high.
They remind me of OP shirts, surfer bangs and gymnastics.
Ah, memories.
JT appeared on the show to sing snippets of his well-known songs and promote a new album/CD. Everyone knows whatever Oprah touches turns to gold, but I highly doubt James Taylor needs heavy publicity to sell anything, period. -- I was already sold. -- The next day I promptly went out in search of one of his CD's and found his greatest hits for $9 at Walmart. Pretty good deal if I say so myself. Here is one out many of my favorite songs off the CD.

Puggy Contest

One of the many enjoyable blogs I stalk... ah I mean, visit is Leaving and Loving on a Jet Plane.
It belongs to a young career woman, Mrs Jetplane. She is married to a military dude, Mr. Jetplane. Mrs. Jetplane generously shares the latest happenings in her life with blogworld while maintaining her wit and sense of humor above all the good, the bad and the ugly (she cracks me up).
She is also the proud owner of two dogs, one being a darling pug. Recently she called on all pug lovers/owners and asked them to send in pictures of their lovable canine(s) for a contest she is holding this month, respectably called, Pugapalooza.
Today's post is brought to you by Pugapalooza 2009 and it's voting day.
I find all pugs cute as pie or better said, cutiepies...

...especially my blogfriend Jen's pug,Orion. Here he is pictured with Lourdes

and I am proud to say he received an

honorable mention, yay! Orion is

not one of the contestants this time around.

I have to say contestant #5 Buster is my favorite! Look at his face? #5 Buster It makes me melt.It makes me want to scoop him up and snuggle with him all day. Sooooooo, I bring you #5 Buster this post in hopes that you'll hop on over and vote for my #5 Buster, I mean, your favorite pug. You have until May 10th and winners will be announced shortly thereafter. ---Ready, set, vote!

"Vote for me, I'm cute...#5 Buster"

Thank you

A big thank you to Kara for answering the question I added at the end of my last post.
I sent you a little something in the mail today to show my appreciation...also to encourage and support your latest hobby...sewing. :-)

Barcos de Vela

The sailboat blanket is finished. My self-imposed deadline was set for last night but hey, I gave myself a break since my hands were starting to stiffen up, so I jumped on the computer instead.
Once again excuse the lighting in the photo. The spotlight I used was moderately helpful.

I added a crochet border...

to compliment the sail boats.

The Specs

Pattern: Come Sail Away Baby Blanket by Suzanne Veta
Yarn: Bernat Baby Sport in pale blue and Caron Simply Soft in white
Needles: US circular 8 and crochet hook size G6.
Notes: I followed the pattern carefully by casting on the suggested number of stitches, but I used US8 circular needles instead of the US7 recommended, although the yarn label suggest US6. According to the pattern, the finished blanket is supposed to measure 28"x32", but my blanket turned out much smaller, 26" x 27" even though I used the larger sized needles and the stitches aren't very tight.
Also, I added two rows of single crochet in white as a border to compliment the blue yarn. Right now, I'm thinking of adding a flannel backing to make the blanket warmer and to weigh it down a bit. If I were to make this blanket again, I would add an additional sailboat pattern to the width and use a thicker yarn.

Since I have a lot of yarn leftover, I'm thinking of making a matching hat and maybe booties.
Bon Voyage!

*Can you name the three different languages used in this post?