Highly Distractable

that's me. . .

I've been experiencing a bit of a crafting/ decorating frenzy as of late. The problem is. . . . oh look at that!!! -now what were we talking about?

Yes, it's true. The Duke calls me a "strong starter" - a nicer way of saying I have a problem with finishing things I start, or at least finishing them in a timely manner.

I have a quilt that is half bound sitting in my kitchen where I sew.

My kitchen chairs are painted, but the table is not.

There is a wreath in parts sitting next to me.

Last week at a garage sale I found a fantastic huge frame w/ hooks on it. I've painted it, but it needs to be glazed and have the hardware reattached.

I also have these two very cute boys that I'm working on raising. I have a feeling they are going to take a while, but I'm very happy with how they are coming along! (Ha, I crack myself up!)

YEP. Highly distract-able.

I did get this project done, after it sat on my kitchen table, driving all of us crazy for about two weeks!


My jewelery had outgrown my small jewelery box. Also, I've never cared for storing earrings and necklaces in a box. I end up not being able to find one earring and the necklaces get tied in knots.

Solution. . . I picked up two framed at goodwill. One divided, the other not. I took out the glass and the back. Then I painted them and glazed them yellow to tone done the green a little and give them some depth. Then off to the hardware store where I picked up some screen fabric and a couple of screw in L hooks.


I chose a few scraps of cute ribbon and hot glued then to the back of the frame to hold my earrings that don't have posts or hooks (you know, the ones w/ sort of C shaped clamps.) Then I cut the screen fabric to fit the frame and hot glued it to the back too. (If you make this, be sure to keep the screen material very tight as you glue it down, and glue it all the way around.)



Next, I screwed the L shaped hooks into the top of the second frame. I didn't like how "hard" the hooks looked so I also added the ribbon to them to soften them up.

I stapled the long yellow ribbon to the back of the second frame to hang from the wall. If you are only going to hang necklaces from the hooks, you can hang it from the frame's hook, but if you are going to put earrings on it you need some room in the back. (Some felt furniture pads would work great to hold it away from the wall a little bit) You would also want to be able to easily access the back, so hanging it from a ribbon is necessary. I just like the way it looks. Using an easel, like I did with the divided frame also works great.

Have you guys heard about the CSI project?  CSI = Create, Share, Inspire.  I'm loving the projects I've been seeing over there, so I thought I'd link up. . . check out some of the other projects created with materials from the hardware store.

The problem w/ kids and knitting. . .

Is that both take a lot of time and attention, but the kids grow and knit sweaters don't.

I started this sweater last fall and with only the sleeves left to finish it fell, neglected, to the bottom of my knitting basket. I had a lot of "adoption" knitting to do, then Christmas knitting, more adoption knitting, not to mention taking care of Little Sir, traveling, ect. ect. . . you all know what I mean.



So, when I pulled it from my basket to finish it, it was pretty clear that it wasn't going to fit Little Sir anymore. He just had a pretty significant grown spurt and is now wearing 3T clothing. (He may not be doomed to be short, after all!)



But, I love the color and the simple design. So I finished it up, and mailed it off to Princess P. for ET to wear next fall. It will make me happy to see it on him. (The only thing I ask in return. . . . PICTURES!!!)



The pattern was improvised from The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns raglan recipe.
The yarn is one is a DIY yarn I had made at Yarnia is Portland. (if you haven't been there, GO! So much fun!)
I knit it on a US size 7 needle.
The cable is just two 2x2 cables next to one another, each twisting in toward the center.

I love my nieces and nephews. I'm so glad that there are several knitters in our family, though. I would make myself crazy trying to knit cute things for all of them by myself. Can't wait to see this little guy sporting his new sweater next fall!

Easter Eggs

So, we did almost nothing for Easter this year. The Duke did find a ham steak in the freezer and cooked it along with some eggs and hash browns. I had started to fill Easter baskets before our lived devolved into hospital food and snot. (the Lion Baby got RSV, we spent 4 days with him in the hospital, I then got it and I'm praying for my head to just get it over with and explode all ready!)

However, Friday while Little Sir was napping, I boiled a dozen eggs and got out some food coloring. Here's an interesting fact. If you fall asleep for 30 min after you put your eggs in the dye cups, they turn out really pretty!



When Little Sir woke up he was so excited to have, in his words, "fancy eggs." Eggs are one of his favorite foods. I had intended to be done with the dying before he woke up, but my "I just need to lay down to rest for a minute" turned into a solid nap. I was just happy he came to get me off of the couch instead of exploring the kitchen first. He sat on a chair next to me while we experimented with a few other techniques.



This is what happened when I put more dye in the dye cups and didn't mix it in very well.



Both of these eggs have been tie-dyed. I dripped dye onto a paper towel, wrapped the egg in the paper towel, and then wrapped the whole thing in plastic wrap. The one of the left I also partially covered in electrical tape after it had been tie-dyed and submerged it in a dye cup. The parts covered in tape do not accept the dye. That worked very well.

Hopefully next year we will have better health for Easter and be able to have more fun with eggs. Actually, who says we have to wait for Easter, come to think of it? Little Sir and I both loved hard boiled eggs. :)

Stork

The first time I had the opportunity to talk to M., our son's birthmother, I was in a yarn store in Salt Lake City. (Blazing Needles in case you're wondering.) I took that as a very very good sign! While I was there I picked out some very special yarn to knit a hat and scarf for M.

I LOVE this yarn. It is Shepherd's Wool by Stonehedge Fiber Mills. It is the softest, bounciest, most beautiful Merino I have ever touched. The color is rich and interesting.

I've named the pattern "Stork" because it was for M. who delivered our precious son.

I will write up the pattern and have it available in my Ravelry shop as soon as I as the Little Lion starts sleeping through the night!

Also, if you are reading via a feed reader, be sure to click through to my blog. I've done a blog makeover AND my comments are working once again.

Little Lion's First Hand Made Toy

"Bear in Waistcoat" from this sweet book that I got from my darling Duke for my birthday (awhile back.)



This is the first time I've ever totally hand sewn something. It was unexpectedly enjoyable. I did make it out of icky craft felt, I didn't have any nice felt on hand, but there will be more of these cute little guys in nicer materials.

I don't know. . . Alaska!

Fairbanks, Alaska
Originally uploaded by Enrique Osvaldo

If you get my blog title you probably know my dad. It was the only thing I knew of Alaska growing up. When I was in high school a friend of mine moved to a city near Anchorage. His accounts left me thinking it was cold and dark and not a place I would care to visit, especially not in the winter.

Tonight I saw a wild Moose in the front yard of my hosts' house. It was magnificent.

There is an ice sculpture festival going on right now, and while I won't be able to attend (due to a sweet little bundle who I want to keep healthy and warm) I have been able to see upwards of 20 ice sculptures that local business and communities have had commissioned.

One of the longest snow machine races in the country will end here on Saturday.

I have eaten Reindeer and Elk. Both are delicious.

I have experienced -20 degree F. temperatures (warm for this time of year, I am told) and didn't die, surprisingly.

I stayed for three nights "on post" at Fort Wainwright- Home of the Arctic Warriors. (That's what the welcome sign says, folks, I did not make that up.)

I have experienced a lifestyle that requires you to plug in your car at night to keep it from freezing, where key holes and doors freeze shut, where flashlights are specific to a task and hats are not optional.

It is a strange and interesting place.

Most importantly, though, it is the birth place of my son. Parents often say that they would travel to the ends of the earth for their child. . . well my dear little boy, I have done it once, so you need not doubt that I would do it again.

Welcome to Yarnnation little Lionheart.

Leo James Wright

24 Feb 2010
7 lbs 5 oz
20.5 inches

A Miracle

My Little Elvish Sir

It's been far too long since Little Sir has graced the pages of this blog.

The terrible twos are in full force around here! Today he dumped my full glass of water into his lap (and laughed) he 'painted' much of his bedroom w/ baby lotions- twice (and laughed) he threw toys in the toilet (and laughed) He screeches, throws anything he gets a hold of, and rejoices in general naughtiness - and when it's all over. . . I still adore my little elf.

I also have lots of knitting and other craftiness that I am looking forward to share, but when these types of shenanigans are going on here, not only is the crafting time at a premium, but computer time is decreased eve more than normal.

A Better Bracelet

OK, I get the idea behind the rubber bracelets. They are cheap, you can put a message on them to spread awareness. Lance Armstrong. . . yeah yeah yeah. BUT. . . no matter how noble or beautiful the idea is that is imprinted on them, and no matter what fabulous color they are, these things are far from stylish.

I had two of them floating around in my "everything" drawer for over a year. They were from an adoption conference Link and I went to in 2008. They were imprinted with the saying "Birth Mothers Never Forget." They were pretty much doomed to living in my drawer until the next time I decided to clean it out, until I saw a cute solution to their lameness at Blue Cricket Designs.


Cute!


Just some ripped fabric strips and a hot glue gun and PRESTO!


Something you would actually want to wear, and will still keep your favorite cause close at hand!

I'm sure you can guess where these are going!

My Sister LOVES Me

Today I went to my mailbox and pulled out a package from Vancouver. I wasn't expecting anything from Vancouver, but it was addressed to me, so I ripped it open.

THESE are what was inside! *silly happy noises*



So I spent part of the day wondering WHO my secret admirer was???

Not the Duke, not Sarah. . . .

it's Princess P. who loves me so!

For you knitters out there there is a pattern you can purchase for $5 HERE. Although, I think you would better off just knitting a mitten (with or without the 2010 on it) and then cut a maple leaf from white fleece or felt and embroider it on (you may also want to embroider the Vancouver 2010- if you have an embroidery sewing machine, or know someone who does, this would be easy as pie.)

THANK PRINCESS!
I HEART YOU SO!

Sewing Should Always Be This Fun

It is a good thing that my friend Sonya is one of my very favorite people, because otherwise, I would for sure be keeping this bag for myself! ;)



I didn't want to deal with lining up stripes, so I cute the striped fabric on the bias, I love how it looks.



Of course, I made the coordinating bias tape.



And the other side (it's reversible!) are these super fun daisies and dahlias.

*HEART* I love vintage fabric!

I Heart Bags

I'm not sure what I did with things before "green" bags became popular. I think I probably have 10 or so of those big IKEA bags. I use them constantly, and not just for my groceries. They have become indispensable to me.

So, like the good little crafter that I am, I figured I should make a few.

This is what I came up with.



It's a large bag, with a circle bottom and a wide and long sling-like strap.



Vintage fabric, I made my own coordinating bias tape (I now have a reason to HEART my iron,) and either canvas or stiff interfacing on the bottom for extra strength.



AND it's reversible!

I made three of these, one for my grandmother, one for my sister, and this one was for my friend Sarah.

There will be more!

I HAVE been knitting

I just haven't been blogging about it.

I want to revive my knitting blog. Adoption has occupied my free time for a year now. I am ready to have it move to the back burner for a while. Knitting is so much less emotional. :)

So, here is what I have been knitting on (which is adoption related- it will be a gift for the birth mother of our son.)



I'm kind of loving it.



It's a super simple pattern. I made it up, but I was sure that someone else must have all ready "published" it somewhere. It's so easy and so pretty.

Well, I went through 20 pages on Ravelry and couldn't find it, so I guess I will have to write it up when I am finished.

In the mean time, let me tell you about the yarn. . . OH THE YARN!

It is Shepherd's Wool by Stonehedge Fibers. I think it may be the perfect yarn. It is the softest Merino I have ever felt. It comes in a very generous hank.



(One hank has stretched into 47 inches (abt 120cm) of scarf!)

And the Colors, oh, these photos do not do this subtle heather justice. It has just tiny hints or royal blue mixed with with that amazing turquoise.

It's been a while since I enjoyed a project this much. I don't know if it is the yarn, or the pattern, or the love I feel for the woman I am knitting it for. I imagine it is a combination of all of those things.

I am dubbing it Stork.

New Year's Resolution

Yeah, I think I can handle this one.

Click on my resolution to find your own doable resolution
(and thanks for the tip, Lucy VanPelt!)

Friends, it's been a while

So, many of you all ready know that the Duke and I have recently suffered through a failed adoption. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. I lost my child. . .

Life goes on even if we don't move with it at first, eventually we are pulled along and reality forces us to keep moving.

Much of my knitting, as of late, had been for the birth parents of our baby. I don't have pictures fo the things I gave them, nor do I really have the desire to blog about those things I still have. They are tangible totems of my pain that I am not ready to share with the world.

I have been doing some other crafting though, and thought it would be a good place for me to start- some of you may remember from my pregnancy that things shaped like mushrooms make me very happy!



Pin cushions. You can either make them into a ring or just have them sit near your sewing and make you smile!

I will send one of these little adorables to the first person who can correctly recall (or look up) what the mushroom shaped object that made me happy during my pregnancy was.

Have Fun!

November is

National Adoption Awareness Month.



In honor of this I (Megan) have committed to blogging every day on my Adoption FYI blog. Please visit me there.

adoptionfyi.blogspot.com

I have kicked off the month by supporting and promoting a wonderful organization, Birth Mother Baskets. Gina Crotts, a birth mother herself, is the heart and drive behind BMB. Her goal is to give birth mothers a basket full of pampering gifts to carry with her as she leaves the hospital. She does not want these HERO birth mothers to leave the hospital empty handed.

She has created sweet little WORD BIRDS to help her organization really "take flight!" Please consider purchasing one of these little cuties or making a contribution to BMB.



Also, be sure to visit Adoption FYI to sign up for the chance to win your very own, personalized, WORD BIRD.

Spinning for Sanity

For those of you who know the torture of the unknown that we are living through right now, you will understand why measures must be taken to maintain sanity. Spinning and other antique past times are fulfilling that need.


In addition to the lovely stuff I all ready showed you I have continued on a spinning frenzy. There is something both calming and satisfying about spinning.


This is some yummy Corriedale from Judy' Novelty Wool. (no website, but she goes to a lot of festivals- or visit her home studio in Centerville, UT.) It was a step outside of my color comfort zone. I really like it. And like all of Judy's fiber, spun like a dream. It's a 2 ply light worsted weight.


This is some BFL. I can't remember who dyed it, but I do remember that my mom bought it for me at Village Yarn and Teas a while back. It was happy to have a turn on the wheel! It is a 2 ply heavy worsted weight.


And THIS!!! This is from a beautiful batt (that I should have photographed before I spun it, but was too excited and didn't think about it.) I was so excited about it that I didn't even remember to get the fiber information on it. It is a wonderful wool and silk noil, but more than that I could not tell you. I will look for the information and get back to you. It is a 2 ply nubby dk weight.


Fall time in Washington of course means apples, and lots of them. I found an excellent price on them, acquired a nifty little apple peeler-corer-slicer, and turned them into. . .


eight quarts of apple sauce and 15 half pints of apple butter so far. (although there are only 14 left, as we have all ready eaten one!) I still have one more batch of apples to cook before I decide if I am done or not.

I suppose that depends on how my sanity is holding up.

How did I not know about this?

If I'm in Seattle, I will be going.



Click on the button to visit their site.

Hey YARN!

I've decided that Yarnnation must be experiencing our own kind of recession. Our economy is based on fiber, yarn, and things that are produced with them. There has been a lack of production as of late, but we aren't in a depression yet.

This year just before I went to OFFF I went through my yarn and fiber collection to see what I had. I still had a lot of fiber from last year's trip to OFFF, which was a very helpful tactic in limiting the amount of fiber I brought home this year.

One of those fibers was some lovely stuff from Sarah Anderson's Great Ball of Fiber. (Also- This year she was there, but might as well not have been, she didn't have ANY dyed fiber. So sad.) My sister picked it out last year and I told her I would spin it for her.

I asked her if she wanted it barber poled or striped, and she said striped. Then I asked her what weight she wanted it - fingering please. ***HEAD BANGING ON WALL*** Yup, I asked her THOSE two questions out of order.

So, I set to work spinning itty bitty singles so I could Navajo ply (that's 3 ply people) a fingering weight yarn. Yes, it too me a year (OK, really it only took me a week, but I put it off for a year.)


400 yards


Navajo Plyed


Proof of Sisterly Love

I must say, though, I did the first 100 yards on my Ashford Traditional (no lace flyer) and the next 300 yards on my Matchless on the smallest ratio. It was WAY faster on the Matchless. (Don't worry Tara, girl, I still love you, though!)

On a related note, my new girl needs a name, any suggestions?

Interview with a Sheep

We had an amazing time at Oregon Flock and Fiber.

I will collect photos from the various cameras and share our wonderful weekend, but until then, enjoy my interview with a sheep, courtesy of Miss Sarah!