Sunday, November 22, 2009

Just a peek


Above, a hat with ear flaps in the works for a dear friend from book club, she is turing 40 in a few weeks and requested this. I am more than happy to make this for her. She picked three colors, with lime green being the main one. I am tickled pink with this color scheme, usually I am a dud when comes to combining colors.

My newest convert to knitting, Jennifer, she finished her scarf that she started on in August on a camp trip. I am at a loss for words on how she has taken to the knitting, she reminds me of myself when I started, such passion! She is now working on hats for Christmas as well, knitting in the round with circulars and took to it like a fish to water. You rock Jennifer! Now I just have to work on her getting a blog.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

crafting...

Spent all day today knitting and am going to go back and knit some more. Just wanted to share some of my recent progress.

My goal is to make at least 12 mini sweater ornaments for the loved ones in my life this year. Should be doable, I am taking about 2 hours to knit these up with left over sock yarn. I am going to start telling folks that I have to get 12 sweaters knitted by Christmas, GASP!, and just not tell them that they are minature ones. Should be a hoot!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

More Birthday Hats

Those two up there are two of my favorite family members, hubby on the left, and his neice Sam. They share the birthday month of November. Last year at the birthday dinner when the neice found out how great my knitted hats were she asked if I would make her one. At the time I was all into making the caps with ear flaps. She asked if I would make her a hat as she would always buy a funky hat each winter. I was elated to say the least that someone in the family actually wanted me to make them something instead of just accepting something I made them by hand, and jumped at the chance. She got her hat with earflaps at Christmas last year. I think these birthday hats are now a tradition as I have been doing them for two years in a row. Oy! I am going to have stay on top (no pun intended) on the creative hats now.

Every year the SIL (Sams mom) makes her homemade spaghetti sauce for the birthday dinners at her house. I love that spaghetti sauce and look forward to it all year. It was also my moms birthday this month. Matter of fact the neice and my mom share the same birthday. Mom got the same type of hat but I did not have my camera yesterday when I went over to visit her on her day.

BTW I plan on making a whole bunch more of those fabulous hats for Christmas. They are super fast to make with big yarn and big needles. And tomorrow I have a holiday from work, it is Veterans day and I plan on staying home to knit and watch Netflix all day, maybe even staying in my PJs all day! WOO HOO!!

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Trying to find my path in life..

Something about this picture makes me feel good about the time that I dedicate to my daytime job. This picture was taken a little over a month ago. It was taken to commerate the forced leaving of one co worker who is not in the picture (we figure he would have quit or retired on his own if he had the choice and we would have given him a party to celebrate same, this picture is being given to him soon when we go to visit away from the office). His position was cut due to budget cuts. I had supervised him for over 10 years. A few weeks after the picture was taken, the co worker on the end, retired to be a stay at home mom to her 7 adoptive kids. She had also been with with us for over 10 years. I am now left with supervising only 3. As much as I love the work I do, and the co workers that I am blessed to spend my days with, I keep wondering if it is really my path in life. And is the ax coming my way, should I make a change in myself first...

Maybe it is time to seriously look at other ways to make a living off of what I can do or make myself? I have read that in times of recessions/depressions that the best business ideas are born. Why am I so fearful of taking the steps to make that happen? I think it is because I do not have faith in myself. I think if I write this down and make it public it will force me to start taking those steps to make it happen. I am afraid to fail, and if I don't try, then I can keep telling myself that I did not fail. But successful people take those failures and keep trying until they find what works. In recent weeks I have proven to myself that I can do what I set my mind to ( I am still smoke free ya'll !) . I just have to commit to what I want to do. What path I want to take.

I want to make a living from what my hands, heart, and mind can create because that is what I love to do. There I said it. Now I just have to make it happen, right?

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Was I not supposed to do that?

This little pup is named Todd. I know, weird name for a dog, right? He is our daughters new puppy and she named him after the fox in the Disney moveie "Fox and the Hound" because she thinks he looks like that fox. He is at our our house frequently and we have taken to referring to him as our grand puppy now. He recently discovered my yarn stash when my back was turned the other evening.

Most folks would probably be upset if a dog did this to their yarn. I, on the other hand, quickly grabbed the camera and started snapping. I was surprised at how well this dog stayed in the picture. He owned it by end of the photo shoot session.

Now I just have to keep a eye on the yarn stash..

Sunday, October 11, 2009

oh yeah, I was supposed to give you a update

Here is the quilt after it was washed, love em when they are rolled up like this. The receiver with his birthday quilt. The darn thing shrunk almost 5 inches!!! I was shocked at that, but I do love the crinkly goodness of these after they are washed. It is now 46 1/2 x 66 1/2, a bit smallish for a grown man. Ahh, such is life though.
I usually do not measure these, but I will remember to do so in the future and take into consideration how much shrinkage is going on now.
I am still adjusting to my new meds, have also been doing fabulous with the no smoking and am very happy with myself. I am tiring easily around here and trying not to stress too much at work. Life is too short to take that job as seriously as I had been, God only knows that they would not be as loyal to me. I have some yarn laying next to me calling my name and am going to go and knit this wonderful Sunday afternoon away. Take care everyone.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Hello October!!

Wow, almost a month went by without a word from me, huh? Must have been super busy. I was so busy and stressed out that last weekend I ended up in the hospital, UGH! I am okay though, but am in the process of making serious lifestyle changes now. Turns out I was having little TIA's which are like little mini strokes that cause no damage but are big warning signs that a big stroke is coming. I have quit smoking now, am on blood pressure meds and cholesterol meds as well. Fun times here at Aunt Weens. Really though I am okay, finally getting this blood pressure thing under control and the quit smoking was not really hard at all, which amazes me.

Anyways, onto crafty news, as you can see below, another hat with ear flaps was knitted up this last month. Here is my good friend, Captain Jack, and his new hat for the winter. It was his birthday last Monday but he got his hat a little earlier.

I also made this quilt for him, got it finished today and it is now in the washer. Before washing it measured 50" x 71", so a good size for a throw I think. I don't know why, but I kept procratinating on getting this one done, probably because of the aforementioned medical issue maybe? And I just thought I was being lazy and tired all the time.
Can't wait to see how it crinkles up!! This is a close up of it before it went into the washer. Will post later about the results.


The weather here is cooler and windy today. I think winter is going to be here before we know. I better get busy on hand washing all those hats I made last winter. For now, keep on crafting my friends.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

9-9-09 Good luck day

I say it was a good day. Completed the first day of a huge Social Security audit at my office, and it went smoothly, with the help of my fabulous co-workers. I have a good feeling that we will get a good grade on that.
Now, onto crafty news. Here is another spiral hat I completed a few weekends back, made with some wonderfully hand dyed and hand spun yarn from a local blogger that now has a Etsy shop. I love everything about this hat, the pattern (Elizabeth Zimmermans) , the feel of the yarn and the colors.

And a close up for your viewing pleasure..


Tuesday, September 08, 2009

weekending...

We went to the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas this last weekend for a four wheeling trip with friends. Here is the Blue Hole, it is a old mining site that flooded and now the water is a wonderful blue color. Those little dots in the water are actual people on floats down there, that is how high up we were.
Some old stairs built into the side of the mountains at the Little Missouri Falls attraction.
I taught my girlfriend to knit on this camptrip. I think I have tried the last two times I have gone camping with her, but we always had lots of kiddies around and she could not concentrate long enough to get the hang of it. She did this weekend though and I am calling her our newest yarn whore. Welcome to your newest addiction Jennifer.


I so want my own sign that says this.






Saturday, August 29, 2009

Happy Place...


This is how I have been spending this Saturday for my weekending. Crafting is my happy place and I really need to be in a happy place this weekend.

So which one do you like better? Valerie and I are leaning towards the top one, but I still have to add more rows to make it big enough.
And this is my recent yarn purchase from treasuregoddess on etsy. Go and check out her shop you will not be disappointed.
I hope to be on the couch this evening planning what I am going to make with that yummy purple and green yarn.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Minature Christmas Sweater Ornaments

This is what I have been up to in the last week or so.

Got some free patterns for same from here.
Of course mine are not exactly like those, but I used those patterns to try my hand at these and put my own twist on them. I have to say though that I do not really like the way those patterns are because I like to knit in the round and hate the purl stitch. So I came up with my own pattern using my circular needles.

And this is the one, not perfect as the sock yarn did not come out quite right on the one sleeve, but I like it. The best part, no finishing except a few stitches under the sleeves, just like EZ does. Yeah!



Wednesday, August 12, 2009

For you Valerie...


It was this little girls birthday the day we got back from our vacation. She is our youngest and just turned 20 now. She got the latest quilt I made after I took it to the mountains to get some shots of it out there. She is the kookiest, crazyiest and keeps her parents on their toes type of kid (in a good way most of the time). So heres to you Miss Valerie, Happy Birthday.
BTW Miss Valerie, I know that was you that left that pitiful what about me? comment on the last post and that is what this post is for. Now that your teenage years are over, maybe dad and I can get some peace??

Monday, August 10, 2009

Back from vacation in beautiful Colorado

Top of the world in Rocky Mountain National Park up on Trail Ridge road.
Gotta love those aspen trees there, too bad it was not fall yet though.
I think this one might be my new blog banner. On Mammouth Gulch, a mountain road in Rollinsville and me with my new knitted hat made especially for the trip.


My totally all scraps quilt I made for the trip as well. Even the batting I had to use scraps that I sewed together. I then gave it to my daughter Valerie on return from the trip.



Best of all is the mountain house we get to stay in. Brother in law owns this beauty on three acres above the town of Nederland Colorado. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!






Saturday, July 11, 2009

Happy Birthday Sirena

This is my oldest baby, she turned 24 yesterday, and I am certain that she thinks I forgot about her birthday. See I went to work yesterday and sent her a email at her work, but no response. Then I left the office early because I was not feeling well and came home and slept off and on until 9 PM last night. I then check my cell phone and she had texted me "Happy b-day to myself", a big guilt trip for me, no? I already knew she had plans for the night so was not too worried about getting with her on her big day, but still, I am her mother and don't want her thinking I forgot her birthday. I then called her and she was having dinner with friends and told her Happy Birthday and why I had not called, and all was forgiven then. So here's to you Sirena, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope to see you tonight to give you your present too (she is newly single and living that fabulous single girl life now). Love ya lots girlie, you have come a long way in your short life and I know that you are destined for even greater things. HUGS & KISSES to you, MOM.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

What I have been up to now that summer is here...

The SIL and BIL loved their gift. I named it Green Apples (his nickname is Apple btw).
Tubing everyone at Stockton lake over the 4th of July Holiday

And hanging out in "party cove" at same lake (yes that is a blow up doll, her name is Sally and it made it really easy to find our peeps among all the other boats out there when we were done tubing the kids). You can see just a small portion of our boat on the left hand side).

I got the art studio cleaned up tonight, so maybe if my pocket book allows it soon I can get more fabric and start some more quilts. Or maybe I should finish up some unfinished knitting, huh? I have not knitted in several months now, but I can do that come fall, right?



Sunday, June 28, 2009

Got it done just in time

This was the scene in the art studio most of this week. Here it is before washing
And now after, I LOVE all that crinkly goodness!

TA DA!
I was so happy with it that went to the lake yesterday with some of the little nephews, here is one of em jumping off the boat. This is happiness...



The quilt measures 70x80 roughly almost twin size, made with the leftover fabric I had from the New Beginnings quilt, fabric from Hancocks. I made it for my SIL and BIL, the ones that ran away and got married in the mountains of Arkansas. I give it to them today at the party to celebrate the union. I hope they like it as much as I do as it is always hard to give away my quilts, I want to keep em all for me.






Sunday, June 14, 2009

We now have a new family member

Met my new daughter in law, she is the one in the middle with the wedding dress on.
And here we all are, my two daughters, Sirena, Valerie (college girl), Candace and Jeff, me and hubby.

Their first dance together as a married couple, look at all those little girls watching them.



And the taking of the garter belt to throw to all the single guys.

Then the feeding eachother the cake.

A good time was had by all. Congratulations Candace and Jeff, we wish you many years of happiness.








Wednesday, June 10, 2009

This is where I would rather be right now.

In my art studio at home...

working on this quilt in progress, a giant one log cabin square for a sister in law who ran away and eloped earlier this week. Instead I am stuck at my day job on my lunch break at the moment where there is no creativity going on.

We all knew they were going to get married sometime this year, they were engaged over the Christmas holidays at the end of last year. I just did not know when it would happen, so now I am trying to hurry and get a quilt done for em soon. I hear there will be a party/reception soon in their backyard to celebrate WOO HOO! I always love me a party.

I also got my son married this last weekend, beautiful wedding ceremony. I hope to get some pics tonight as my oldest daughter has seemed to taken a liking to the camera and never wants to return it....hmmm.... It really is not mine either, but belongs to the youngest daughter, college girl. She got it as a high school graduation gift last year, but seems to not use it alot. I think she would have liked a smaller point and shoot that she can carry around easier. Instead I got her the Nikon D40 SLR and I LOVE IT! Someone has to use it, right?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

She did not have to steal it from me after all

I gave it to her on Mother's day, my mom in all her glory. She loved it of course and now I am her favorite again. Not that I never was, but you know how it is when you have more than one child, right?

Here are the results of the last month. I still am in awe of my creativity during this time. Four quilts in one month, how awesome is that???
I hope that my son and his finance do not visit this blog too often (if at all?) I never know, but this is their wedding gift. My daughters love it so I am feeling good that they will too. I still have to label it and give it a name.

This last one I was for sure going to keep for me. I still do not have one that I have made and kept for myself yet (okay, the pratice quilt will be for camping but I am sure I will share it with others, it does not count). The oldest daughter, I gave it to her on Mothers day even though she is not a mom yet, she is just now coming out of a really rough time in her young life, she is going thur a divorce and it has been awfully hard for her (and her parents). So I named this one "New Beginnings" so that she can have a fresh start. I hope that it gives her comfort.