Two human-sized FOs and no dolls

But both FOs are crocheted! Mwahahahaha I lured you unsuspecting knitters in. So how's it going? All is dandy chez moi. I actually managed to finish two projects, both of which I am quite proud and pleased with. I know I shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition, but I'm afraid you're just going to have to deal with it. Let's look at some lurvely pictures, shall we?

Here is yet another big-ass granny square. When I need to crank out a project pronto, B.A.G.S. is my go-to pattern. It never lets me down. I'm quite fond of this one. I used Caron Simply Soft - I'm pretty sure I bought 24 skeins of it at Wal-mart (gasp!) for less than $30. Gotta love it. And it is, indeed, simply soft. Kinda shiny, too. This blanket will be going to Botswana this summer to keep a child in an AIDS orphanage warm. I do hope they like it. I'm going to try to make at least one more before my next knitting group meeting, which is next Wednesday. This one only took 4 days, and the next one I make will be made of bulkier yarn with a much larger hook. Fingers crossed for me, peeps.

Wow, I love this shawl. I've actually already worn it. This is Eva's Shawl by milobo, from her blog Without Seams (link in the side panel). It's a free pattern. It's super easy, but really pretty, and the yarn is to die for. It's really soft and warm, and the color is gorgeous. I used four and a half skeins of Araucania Atacama. I really like Araucania, I must admit. I have two skeins of yellow worsted weight in my stash, and I think that will become a scarf sometime soon.

This shawl has already come in handy, as spring has not yet quite arrived in the Mid-Atlantic region. Basically, it's been rainy and about 55 degrees every day for what feels like the last 72 years. However, it is supposed to be quite nice this weekend. If it isn't, I'm going to find a meteorologist and beat the tar out of them for misleading us. But not my brother - he's a meteorologist, but I beat the tar out of him enough when we were children. Although he got in a few good shots too. I used to have a scar on my shin where he kicked me whilst wearing bowling shoes. Ow. He also threw a dictionary and a remote control at my head, but I deserved it because I was really a mean big sister. We get along really well now. Even though he doesn't tell me when he's dating someone.

Aren't you glad you asked?

Can I tell you how much I love barbecues and picnics? I'll be going on one picnic and to three barbecues this weekend. Yippee! Today at school, there was an assembly about Memorial Day, and it was really quite touching. A bunch of the kiddies got up and spoke about their grandpas and great uncles and cousins who were veterans or who had died in battle. Then one boy at the end played Taps on his trumpet, and that damn near destroyed me. Wow. I heard Taps at the end of the day when I visited the American Cemetary at Omaha Beach in Normandy, and man, that was powerful. It really made me appreciate the people and things in my life. I have a computer, and I have a blog where I can type whatever I like, and I don't have to fear for my life or my family's life. I have a family, and I love them, and they love me. I have great friends. I have food on my plate, a roof over my head, and lots of toys.

Take a moment to be thankful for the things you have. And thank a veteran if you see one. They deserve it.

Stuff for you to look at

So I actually finished some stuff lately! Pretty neat-o, huh? Below we have the Ribbed Lace Bolero by Kelly Maher. I used a little less than 2 skeins of Cotton Ease. I'm pretty happy with the fit, but it grew a fair amount as I wore it. I'm anxious to see what happens when I wash it and dry it - it's in the washer as we speak!

Next we have a little hat I whipped up for Dulcinea in about a half hour. I made it out of some leftover Debbie Bliss denim yarn that I had laying around. I think it's pretty cute! I made it up as I crocheted.

I also made up this pattern as well. This one took about 2 hours, as it is mostly single crochet, and I used a much smaller hook. The yarn is from France - I think it's La Droguerie. I forget the fiber content, but it's really nice. I got the yarn in a swap I did last year. I let my dad have this hat for his Blythe doll, Bridget.

Next we have a pom-pom hat for Blythe (yes, I know, but it gives me such a sense of satisfaction to finish three things in a weekend!). I got the pattern from the Blythe Kenner Yahoo! group. It is very easy, I just have to seam the back, and make and sew a pom-pom on the top. I am going to make a fisherman's sweater to go with it. I used Cestari's cotton/wool 70/30 yarn in the Mint colorway. I like it.

Last, but most certainly not least, we have the Sunday Market Shawl. The name of the designer still escapes me, but it's on Ravelry if you're interested. I love this yarn. Love. It. It's soft, and the colors are prettier in person. I'm making this on size 13 needles, so it's working up pretty dang quick! I'm close to dropping the necessary stitches and binding off. Can't wait. It will need a serious blocking those, as the sides are rolling like a mofo.

***

I made dinner for my family and a friend tonight, and it was lovely. I made a pretty tasty dinner last night too. I really notice a difference in my health and well-being depending on what I eat. When I eat like crap (such as loads of carbs and sugar), I never feel full and always want more, and I feel tired and yucky. When I eat healthy food, I can go for longer without eating, I don't snack as much, and I have more energy. This all seems so elementary, but I'm one of those annoying people that you can talk at forever, but I need to experience it for myself in order for it to really hit home with me.

So last night I made baked chicken with a little seasoning, sauteed spinach with garlic, sesame, and olive oil, and roast cauliflower with lemon, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. I usually hate cauliflower, but my friend Julie made this for me last week and it is so. yummy. Seriously. Tonight I made a pork loin with tarragon, mashed potatoes with sour cream and fresh chives (not healthy, but way freakin' tasty), and peas and corn. For dessert, we had ice cream with fresh strawberries and fresh blackberries. Yum. I have enough leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

I also exercised twice this weekend! Yesterday, I walked about 4 miles on the Schuylkill River Trail in Valley Forge National Park, which is lovely and peaceful (except when a train goes by across the river). I saw ducks and geese and cormorants, and heard spring peepers peeping away. The air was clean, the sun was shining, and it was great. Today, I went to the gym and worked out with weights. I didn't like it, but I know I have to do it. I much prefer to exercise outside, but when I'm pressed for time and the weather is yucky, the gym it is. Gotta do whatcha gotta do.

I only have 5 more classes left this semester! I can't believe how quickly it's gone by. I am thinking of taking a one-week class this summer; we'll have to see what the money situation is. The more classes I can get out of the way now, the better. Plus, the one in the summer is a French class, and I know I would enjoy it.

That's about it for now. Thanks for stopping by. Have a good evening, and I'll talk to you guys soon. I have to go do laundry. Wheeee. ;o)

Snow day = FOs

Hey everybody! Banana and I had a snow day yesterday. Now generally I'm not a big fan of the snow, but when it means I get a three-day weekend I LOVE it.

Needless to say, I got some crocheting and knitting done!

I finished my second Tiramisu Blanket, pattern by Alicia Paulson. I made it with Red Heart Heathers, and I'm pleased with the outcome. I managed to lose some stitches in the middle, so it's not really square, but the edging helps disguise it. All in all, a lovely little blankie that will hopefully keep baby Gavin warm whenever he gets here.

This was a quick, lovely little knit. This is the Baby Bib o' Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting. Instead of making two straps that meet in the back, I made one to come all the way around front, because when you're trying to put a bib on a baby in a highchair or bouncy seat, you inevitably end up pushing their heads forward, and they generally don't like that. All it needs is a button and it's done. This took me about 2 hours and less than one skein of Lily Sugar 'n' Cream.

Here's another one. I like the greens. I think I'll put a little elephant button on it. ;o)

I've made a considerable amount of progress on WT's vest considering I'm not the fastest knitter in the world. I do love stockinette, it goes so quickly! I really like this yarn too - it's Cascade Sierra. It's pretty soft and not splitty and easy on the hands.

And here is one of the gorgeous roses that WT gave me for Valentine's Day. Yay for flowers!

Two finished objects

Well, here's one, anyways:

It's a lapghan, made of Jo-Ann's Sensations something-or-other. It's acrylic and fuzzy and soft and I like it. This will be a Christmas present for someone at the Banana's school. Didn't take too long to make, which is always nice.

I can't show you the other FO because it's a present for someone who reads my blog. Sorry. But I'm really happy with the way it came out, and it only took me about 4 hours to make it! It was originally supposed to be knitted, according to the pattern, but that would have taken way too long, so I crocheted it. It's a little big, but for this project it's not a huge issue. I'm going to make at least one more for someone else I know who reads this blog on occasion. :o)

Here's the Banana on the right with her little friend. They dressed as twin pink fairy princesses for Halloween, in case you couldn't figure it out. They had quite a good time, and collected a fair amount of Halloween booty. Sweet!

I went to therapy last night, even though I could hardly speak due to a lovely case of laryngitis. And by therapy, I mean knitting group. I haven't been since mid-August due to class on Wednesday nights. It was so good to see everyone!! Class ends December 7th, and you better believe I will not be scheduling classes on Wednesday night next semester. ;o)

TTFN!

Finishing and beginning

I've found that the best thing about Ravelry is that every time I log in, there are my WIPs. Staring me in the face. I can't ignore them. I can't stuff them in a bag or bin. I can't pretend they don't exist. They taunt me from my project page, saying, "Salleeeeeee, I'm over heeeeerrrrre." But this is a good thing, because what's the point of knitting and crocheting if you never actually produce anything?

Here is the finished outfit for Bridget, my father's Blythe doll. I used Dalegarn Stork in a pale green. The tank and skirt took one afternoon to knit, and the hat took another afternoon. It then took me about 6 weeks to seam it, because I am a lazy butt. But I finally finished it, and I think it looks pretty cute. I hope my dad likes it. I knit it on size 1 straights, and the flower was attached with Elmer's Glue, because I'm fancy like that.

Here's a project I started either late last year or early this year. It was languishing in the corner, sad and forgotten. It took me one and a half evenings to finish it, and now I have another useful bag to carry crap around in. This is the third bag of this kind that I have made. The pattern is free off the Lily website, and it's a pretty sturdy project. Unlike the knit version, it is not quite as stretchy, but still quite utilitarian.

My knitting group is working on a Project Linus blanket. We are all doing two to four 10" squares. Here are the first two that I made. I really like the first one a lot. It is based on the Queen Anne's Lace pattern from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks. It is not exactly that block because for some reason I have a really hard time following written crochet patterns; I much prefer a chart when crocheting. Oh well. I like it anyhow.

I like this one too, but the final beige edge is too ripply. I may rip that out and redo it with fewer stitches, I think it will lay flatter and look nicer. Otherwise, I'm quite happy with this one as well.

I am still plugging away on the Ribbed Lace Bolero. I don't know why I'm having hard time with it. I ripped it completely after screwing up the lace portion, and now that this is my second time around, I think I am just bored with it. Maybe I'll just put it aside for a while. It's really frustrating me, because I have yet to knit anything that I'm really proud of and happy with. This is a simple pattern, and I understand what I need to do, and I am still screwing it up. Patience, Sal. Patience. (deep cleansing breath)

I have two small knitting projects that have been hibernating for some time, and I think I may finish them before I start anything else. It's the Puzzle Scarf and the legwarmers. They are easy and I know I could do them, so I'm hoping to finish them in the next two weeks or so, and then get started on Xmas presents. Woo hoo!

***

Banana turns five tomorrow. Five years old. I was still in my twenties when I had her. I had more hair. She had less. But she was just as cute. I remember sitting in my hospital bed, holding her tiny little squiggly body, contemplating her pink little gums as she cried. Kissing her little forehead. She cried when she came out, but then she stopped when they put her on my chest, and she opened her eyes and blinked in the bright lights, and I said, "It's me. It's Mom." And she looked and blinked and was quiet. She had the cutest little button nose, and big rosy cheeks, and little pointy ears, like an elf. We still haven't figured out where those ears came from. She had dimples where her knuckles were, and little rubberband wrists. She had baby head smell. And now she's going to kindergarten. She scrubs her toenails and fingernails with the nail brush, and she can brush her hair all by herself. She draws pictures every single day, and they usually have kittens and ballerinas and princesses in them. She starts ballet class next week, in fact. She loves pink and purple and she has such a distinct personality, already, at such a tender age. Her favorite show is America's Funniest Home Videos. She likes to watch Cops with her dad on Saturday nights. She has a pretty good sense of humor. She always liked to make people laugh, ever since she was a baby. She would play nursing games with me - she'd get a mouth full of milk, then smile at me, and all of the milk would dribble out of her mouth and all over my shirt. Or she would look at me and pretend to nurse (pretend at two months old!) and look at me to see if I was paying attention. And boy, does she like attention. She loves to perform. She likes to sing and dance and say her alphabet backwards and count to 20 in Spanish.

She's a piece of work. And I love her.