crafty Rundown (in photos)....

kept working on this....Cordova Cardi for me...

And this tunic for Abby, of my own design....

Finished this slouchy hat for Abby, topped off with a button from my mom it is adorable on her,  but she refuses to wear it. 

Did a little more work on the Abigail Wall hanging, swiped the fairy design from one of her coloring books,  traced it on to freezer paper and will use that to do a reverse cutwork applique....

Prepped two old canvas (white washed with paint I scrounged from left over house painting projects) to create some new art for our walls with an idea I found via Pinterst and using some leaf shapes I already have cut out of some 1930 fabric.
Baked some Mocha Biscotti...no pics only a few crumbs left.

Baby it is cold outside...

Well it no surprise that it is cold outside,  after all I do live in North Dakota and it is something we are known for, the bitterly cold.  This year has been a departure from the norm and we had a gloriously warm fall and up until last week, we were still reaching the 40s for highs.  Well that all came to a end with the highs now around zero and at this moment it is -9, yes NEGATIVE 9 with wind chills in the -30 range.  that was a few days ago,  it is much nicer now with temps in the low 30s for the weekend.  I am sure will feel like a heat wave,  if I get motivated enough to step outside.  I could go on bemoaning the abhorrent temperatures but with the lack of snow on the ground it does not seem so bad.  No shoveling the driveway, no slipping and sliding on the street,  no trekking though snow drifts just to get to the front door it is just damn cold.  I know the snow will come eventually,  but I am content to enjoy the small reprieve Mother Nature has provided (inside with a steamy cup of coffee and a bit of knitting). 

Speaking of knitting....

I am working on a Skull Cap for the boy.  I knit so very little for him,  that when I ran across this pattern,  I knew I had to give it a go.  The first attempt was frogged, too big for his head.  I started over, using mostly DK weight yarn size 6 needles and only casting on 84. 

I am also putting the finishing touches on my next pattern....snowflake mittens....

Knitting 2011

I have seen this on a few other blogs and liked it so here are all of my finished knitting projects for 2011.  A few sweater for me,  a couple of baby sweaters and a slew of toddler slippers. By far the most ambitious item I have knit is the Fireside Sweater full of wonderfully thick cables.  (it never fails to draw the compliments whenever I wear it).  I published my first knitting pattern and have had a decent amount of sales. 

 

I already have a few things on the needles for 2012, several new patterns in the works and a few quilts in progress that I hope to finish. 

Girly Ruffles

Alex is sick today so while he naps I found a little sewing room time and whipped up an adorable recycled outfit for Abby.  I have a stack of henleys that I saved from when Alex was younger.  All are in great shape, but Abby never wants to wear them.  She loves to wear pink so maybe with just a touch of pink this will be more appealing.  I love how the henley turned out with just the addition of a little ric rac. 

The jeans I used are boys carpenter jeans and fit Abby around the waist but are far too short.  I found a great tutorial via pinterest on adding a few ruffles hem to a pair of jeans. 

 Cant wait to try it on the little gal. 

New year of projects

I finished out 2011 knitting up this fantastic sweater for my sister.  Love the yarn Cascade Quatro in the colorway Jamaica and the pattern Cordova Cardigan

The yoke of the pattern gave me a little heartache (well actually more like a burn) when I had to rip it out and try again at least 4 times.  In the end I don't think I got it quite exactly as the directions were printed but visually it is lovely. 

It was given to my sister with strict instructions of hand wash only and that I totally would not be offended if she hated it and gave it back to me. 

I liked the pattern so well I have started a second for me out of some Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Avocado...

I also knit this cute Center Row Lace ear warmer in the car on our way down to visit my folks in SD.  Knit up quick out of some left over yarn and did not require much attention.  I love the vintage button I snagged at my moms. 

Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of the back of your own head.  Took me about 20 shots with many photos of the wall.