Is it Friday yet?

Deck demolition

My life is really full with school, work, and having a family.... to the point I sometimes feel overwhelmed!! So, sometimes I wonder why I'm trying to blog - it's just something extra.... But I keep on trying to blog, so it must mean *something* to me.

Anyway, our house restoration has been very slow go lately. It takes this thing called money.... haha! We did, however, tear down our back deck. We will eventually rebuild it, but not this year. It has been rotten and dangerous to walk on since we moved in 4 or 5 years ago. It has gotten continually worse, and we were worried that a heavy snow would bring it all the way down this year. Whoever put this thing up.... they put green indoor-outdoor carpeting on it. So it just held in that nasty rain and weather, allowing it to sit against the wood.

Ta-da!!! It looks weird with that door kind of in mid-air. I wish I had a before picture - I guess I didn't ever feel like photographing it before. Probably because it was so hideous~!

Also, I've always had a sewing machine, and I really can't sew a straight line. Thanks to many tutorials and great blogs - I've started really practicing. I put in my first zipper the other night (crooked, but.... hey...) into a little zipper pouch I made for my two year old's markers. I was proud that it actually turned out halfway decent.

Turkey Headband

Pottery Barn Kids has these Thanksgiving headbands that I've adored for two years..... Someone from my knitting group makes lots of felt crafts, and so I bought some felt.... and I thought, "Hey, I can make that..." So, I free hand drew the turkey and leaves, and transferred those to the felt. Instead of a french knot eye, I placed a little button. A little embroidery work (which I wasn't concerned about being neat - it's supposed to be child-like and whimsical), a little sewing.... and I had a turkey headband!!! I really enjoyed working with felt, and learned lots of new techniques. I plan to be working with felt a lot more!!

Fall Party Treat Bags

I signed up to make treat bags for my son's fall party. No sweets like candy or cupcakes.... healthy foods only, are to be brought to fall party. So, some cellophane treat bags in orange... they came with twist ties and I threw those out because I question their safety around 2 year olds. I substituted some ribbon in green and orange to tie around the tops, and curled them with scissors. Then, I fluffed the top part sticking up out of the tied end. I thought it made the bags look like little pumpkins!! Inside the bags: a box of dried cranberries, box of raisins, a package of cheese and peanut butter crackers, and a small party-pack Play-doh. It would be easy to vary the contents for classroom allergies, etc. Happy Fall !

A little knitting...

I took my last test for the quarter today!  Hooray!  Now, I have a 3 week break!

I started the Dahlia Cardigan from Interweave Knits, Fall 2011.  Using Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin in Petit Poison #5 dark.  I have gotten Chart A completed. 



When I started, I actually swatched and decided I didn't want to use the size 4 needle I first chose.  I went down to a size 2 needle with the swatch and thought it looked neater (tighter stitches).  However, starting the chart with size 2, it became quickly obvious that my lace panel was not going to have the openness that I love about lace.  So, I ripped it out, and went back to size 4. 



I will definitely be putting in a lifeline before starting Chart B though!  I made a small mistake in the last rows of chart A, but I "fixed" it enough for my satisfaction.  If I made a bigger mistake, though, it would be sad to rip it all out.

Just a few things....

I'm a terrible blogger.  I guess it's better than being terrible at the other roles in my life.  Wife, mother, student, nurse, knitter, blogger....  I think blogger is probably the safest to be terrible at.

Life is a lot different for me lately.  I feel the most like myself, though, since my son was born.  In case you don't know much about that, I will fill you in.

My beautiful son was born 2 years ago, by emergency C-section because my fluid was very low.  He was delivered at 8 pm on the dot.  He was 37 weeks, and he screamed the most beautiful screams when he was born.  He sounded strong, he looked strong at 7 lbs, 3 oz.  The pediatrician saw him, and told me he was perfect.  Then, some time went by....  I asked "Where is my baby?"  They explained to me he just needed some supplemental oxygen - no big deal.  Ok.... then it's midnight.  Still no baby, and he still needs oxygen.... and they are obtaining some blood gases.  I'm a nurse.  I'm a nurse, and I know all about obtaining blood gases.  Even though they are fluffing it up, and reassuring me, I know.  I know something is wrong.

At 6 am the next morning, I am facing 4 pediatricians, with concerned looks.  They aren't sure what's wrong - they think "... blah blah blah blah blah" (And yes, that's what I'm hearing.)  Have I mentioned - I am a nurse.  I know, I know, I know in my gut something is terribly wrong.  That is when I insist he be transferred to a different hospital.  My nurse brain kicked in, I threw out the mother's grief, and I insisted he be transferred.  Not only do I insist on this, but I give them my scientific arguments for why this should happen.  And they agreed.

So he was transferred.  He was intubated and placed on a ventilator within hours of arriving at the other facility.  Bilateral chest tubes were placed.  Drips were started.  My child had Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN), or as previously known, persistent fetal circulation.  He was sick.

I plan on writing more about this in the future.  I actually have a little dream to do a series on it.  I have a lot to say about it - a lot of feelings I want to share about it...... 

The good news is that I have a beautiful, perfectly healthy 2 year old now who has no lasting problems.  Unfortunately, I think it left me with the typical postpartum depression, mingled in with a little post traumatic stress disorder.  Just until recent months, I haven't felt myself.  Nothing off the wall, but just not myself.  Finally, finally, I feel like myself again.  And I still wish I were Buffy.

I'm moving home.

I am coming back to blogger, after being gone for a few years. I have no idea if I can transfer my wordpress blog posts, but I will try. If not, we'll start fresh!
Fiber goodness coming soon.

Kroger Trip - Another couponing post

Well, I went to Kroger today and bought $109.17 worth of groceries for $35.93.  I was so excited.  It was a day where I needed stuff I didn't have coupons for too, so I was super happy with my final total.



Some more couponing strategies that I use include planning.  When I first started using coupons, I didn't always plan, but now that I do - I'm a lot more successful.  For example, my coupon for aluminum foil today stated it wasn't good for 25, 30, or 40 square feet boxes, so I wrote that on my list so I wouldn't pick one up, then be surprised at the registar when my coupon wouldn't work.  Also, I find that planning and making a list keeps my buying habit in check.  I don't walk away with unnecessary things, like extra cookies or candies.

And don't worry.  Planning doesn't take all that long.  A few minutes here or there.  Make a list (I like to use my iPhone notes) of things you think you need as the week goes on.  Then, when you are ready to go to the store, look at your list and see what coupons you have that match it.  And you'll save time in the store by planning at home.  And it gets easier every week once you get the hang of doing it.

And for all my yarn friends who think I've gone off the deep end, I am going to a fiber festival tomorrow, so I hope to provide you with some fun fibery goodness pictures!

Couponing 101

I said I would post a little bit about this - and I've really gotten distracted lately.  My baby got ear tubes!!  I was very resistant to it, but glad we got them.  He had completely failed his hearing test, and at 9 months old - it's important for his development to be able to hear!!    He started really babbling and saying new sounds the day after he got them.  So far, I'm happy.

So, on to coupons.

Someone asked about them not being high value - but I actually have gotten a lot of FREE coupons and high value coupons.  Right now, I have a coupon for free barbecue sauce and a free package of hot dogs that I got in a package from Kraft.  Sign up for samples from the companies, as these often have very high value coupons with the samples!!!  Also, coupons.com is a very good site for coupons, and they are almost always higher values.  Also, even if they aren't high value, stores often double or have double days.  My Kroger doubles all the time for any coupons under 50 cents.

Drug stores are a completely new skill - using their cash registrar reward systems to roll your money and obtain free items when you add to your coupons.  For example, this week at CVS, I bought Crest mouthwash, Pantene shampoo and conditioner, Kotex, and Carefree liners and ended up walking away with a profit of $2.00.  I will link some sites that are great for couponing 101, and they explain this drugstore strategy.

www.southernsavers.com

www.coupongeek.net

www.pennypinchinmom.com

www.frugalfemina.com

These are just a few of my favorites.  Often you can find them on Facebook and friend them, and they update with all the new samples out or coupon deals and you can get it instantly to your Facebook feed.

I hope this is enough to help some of you get started.

Here's to saving tons of  money!!  (So you can buy more yarn!)

New knitting needles and a (sort of) new hobby

Well, I really am still knitting.  Even though I have nothing to show for it.  Motherhood doesn't stop you from doing the things you love, it just takes a little longer!

I got some new needles, for socks, and I adore them.  I got the Addi Turbo 8 inch circulars!!!  They are so tiny, and I love them, but I think you either love them or hate them.  I can go really quick on these things, and even the Cookie A. socks I love doing are going faster!

So, I have found something else to occupy my thoughts and mind.  Couponing.  (You know, so I can buy more yarn?)

I have really gotten into it, and doing quite well with it.  I've not bought body wash or toothpaste, but gotten it all free after coupons, and have enough stockpiled for another month!  Food is harder to get free - not as many great coupons, but still you can cut the bill a lot lower.  If any of you are interested, I might do a blog post with some starter tips.

Oh, and I got my laptop back.  If any of you noticed me missing, my laptop died and was getting repaired.  I have another OLD laptop, but it's hard to use, heavy, and doesn't have any of my bookmarks.  Soooo... yay, my laptop is back!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

For Valentine's Day, we didn't do much.  Went out to dinner last night to celebrate the Chinese New Year with some friends.  I got a card, but most of all... I got sleep.  I slept until 1 pm today.  Oh, it was sooo wonderful.  I haven't done that in years.

Sleep is good.

I also have been joining in the Ravelympics, and finished an old project that has been sitting in my knitting bag.  Sad and all alone.  Olympic knitting is so much fun, and so motivating for some reason!!!

This shawl is from "Knitting Triangles" by Evelyn Clark, and is a mix and match of different patterns to make your own.  This book is great, and is more of a recipe book for a shawl than anything.  Great book, I highly recommend if you like lace knitting, particularly in triangle form.  Malabrigo laceweight, in a really candy cotton pink.  My favorite of colors.  I'm definitely not girly until it comes to the color pink. :D  Size 4 Addi Lace needles.

Damson blocking

Not much going on here.  We've been a houseful of sickness.  The baby has been sick, we have ALL had the stomach virus, and I officially tested positive for mono.  Whee.

I did get Damson blocked.  Thank you Rachel, I used the spare bedroom bed, and shut the door to keep the kitties out and off the yarn!

Lazy Sunday

I'm practicing a post with my new Wordpress app on my iPhone... It's a rainy lazy Sunday.

A loom and some shawls

Sometime since we last spoke about knitting or yarn goodness, I acquired this *thing*.



My husband's best friend was at some estate sale and asked what it was, and he was told it was used to wind yarn, so he bought it for me.  I had no idea what it was, so I took  it to my knitting group.  I was told it was a loom.  Hmm, what kind of loom?  So using Ravelry, I found out it was an inkle loom.

I am really wanting to use it, but have no idea how to begin.  I keep thinking that I'll have a day where I can go to the Woolery in a nearby city and have them show me what additional supplies I need and the basics, maybe even a DVD.  I just can't seem to find the free day to go!

Other things I've been working on....



I finished my Damson shawl but it desperately needs blocked.  My problem with blocking is that I don't have a blocking area.  I only have one room with carpeting and the cats would lie on it if I block it with towels on the carpet.  Any suggestions?

I started the Aestlight Shawl.  In Madelinetosh sock.  MMMM... let's talk about this yarn.  It's in a "copper penny" colorway, and it is BEAUTIFUL.  It does shine like a bright new penny.  And the yarn is buttery and wonderful.  I love this yarn.  I just happened to get it while on maternity leave in a Loopy Ewe update, and I am so happy with that purchase.

The last time....

The last time I posted I was carrying a baby.  He is now 5 months old, and beautiful.  Life has changed.  In so many ways.

I have wanted to start blogging again, but wow, life is so busy.  So, I won't make promises.  But, I feel like I have so much to say.

I am working on redesigning the blog.  I almost decided on a whole new blog, but I didn't want to lose pieces of me.  I may be changed, but essentially I'm still the same.  I also need to update my blog list, as some of my friends have moved on to pretty bright shiny new blogs.  I am really unsure of my new custom header.... it may still change.  Maybe I should take a poll.

So, what's happened in 6 months?  I had a baby, a sick baby who spent time in the NICU.  He is now healthy and happy and doesn't know anything happened.   Two chest tube scars later, mommy really wears the biggest scars inside.  It's something that I'll never forget.  I am thankful for every smile, every whimper, every giggle.  I did go back to work, and I'm still nursing.  I am still knitting (when time allows!).  I have discovered the beauty of a crockpot and audiobooks.  The house is on hold until we see some warmer weather.  The cats are still with us, and seem to really love little man as much as we do.  Quite frankly, it's a sweet little life.

So, no real promises.  But hopefully you'll be seeing me.

Shawl Knitting

I recently purchased "Knitting Lace Triangles" by Evelyn Clark.  It's the most fantastic book!!  Well, I'm not sure if it's a book or a booklet...  It seems quite small at first, but once you open it, you realize it's not small in content quality.  It's spiral bound, which I love.  I wish all knitting books were spiral bound!  It's more of a recipe book than a pattern book.  She gives you the power to mix and match out of 4 patterns to make your own shawl.  She walks you through shawl design.  It has really made me feel empowered and I've owned this book only for 2 days.

I started a shawl with the Medallion lace pattern, and used an ordinary cast on beginning.  I like the garter stitch tab cast on, and have used it before, but find it to be a bit fiddly for my clumsy fingers.  The ordinary cast on looks just fine, though, and I am quite pleased with that.

I am using Malabrigo lace in pink, my most favorite of colors.

Pea Pod Hat and Swollen Feet

My feet are swollen!! It makes me not want to work on any socks. It's just so disappointing when my ankles are so huge! I've had many suggestions on Ravelry, since I can't try on the socks, and they were good ones. It was to get sock blockers to test for size, use other handknit socks for reference, use a friend of mine who has a foot my size.... So maybe I will finish the beautiful Cookie A's I started.

I've been itching to work on something lace lately, but can't decide on what exactly.

And here is another hat I finished for the baby. It's also a Susan B. Anderson pattern, bought from her website. It's just adorable, and not nearly as fiddly as you think. I used Tahki Cotton Classic yarn. I did it in the newborn size.

Ok, that's it for baby hats.....  for now.  :)

After dropping off the face of the earth....

It's like I completely forgot my blog.  I just couldn't figure out what to write about.  Or have the energy!!  I've been getting the itch to work on it again though, so let's see how it goes.

I have a few things to speak of - but I'll spread them out for future posts!  I am 30 weeks pregnant now, I've been to Switzerland on vacation, I've finished a few baby hats, and our house is in total wreckage trying to prepare for the baby!

I did lose my knitting mojo for most of my pregnancy.  I just couldn't bare to do it - it was like I was too tired to move my arms or wrists!

This was the first hat I finished. It's the Simple Baby Hat from Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitty Hat book, and I used some Rowan Denim leftovers I had from my Reversible Stripes and Dots hat, also from her book! (If you love baby hats, you truly do need this book.)  I also picked up this little piggy button at a yarn shop in Switzerland, with the thoughts of adding it to a hat.  I just love little animal things.   This button makes me laugh because it's legs are attached with some rope-like cotton and they just kind of swing in the air.

Also, I've been listening to podcasts a lot lately and have two I would love to recommend and share with you: The Knitmore Girls - a mother and daughter team which are great together, and CogKnitive podcast which gives a little knitting talk, a little blather, and lots of psychology.

Things that I will be blogging about (hopefully) in the days to come - Switzerland pictures, another baby hat, baby things, and house renovation!

Big changes!

I am pregnant.  I'm about 14 weeks along.  This is why I was on bed rest for a while, I've been having some difficulties, but it seems those are better now....  I was really afraid to tell anyone and get too hopeful.  But, I'm ready to tell you now!!!  We are so excited - so many big changes!!

And that brings me to a finished object.  We haven't gotten to know what gender yet, but since I made a purple ribbon hat, you know it's going to be a boy!  My best friend is pregnant too, so surely between us both, one of us will have a girl who can wear this hat!!

It's the Ribbon hat from Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitty Hat book.  There isn't a hat in this book I dislike.  This picture doesn't do this hat justice - it's absolutely adorable.  My favorite baby item I've knitted yet.  I used some sort of Rowan yarn... I can't remember the name (baby brain already!)...

FO: A Stork's Nest Scarf

I meant to post the FO the next day after my teaser, but my husband took the camera cord in his briefcase and left it at his office for several days!! It definitely is lace.

This is "A Stork's Nest Scarf" by Nancy Bush. It was in Piecework Magazine Jan/Feb 2008. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, and have been meaning to knit it all year. It was going to be for my mom for Christmas, but when I got sick - I couldn't finish it. I think I'll put it away until Mother's Day. She could wear it in the spring just as an accent and not get overheated with it. I hope she likes it.

I used Malabrigo laceweight, which I love. The pictures are a little more vibrant than the yarn, I think. It's really a more pastel blue, but it has been dark and gloomy here so it's hard to take accurate pictures.