Buddy Walk 2007

Today entry is about my soon to be nine year old niece, Chloe. The above picture is her with her mom Lisa. Chloe will be participating in her 8th IDSF Buddy Walk. Chloe was born with Down Syndrome and has had to work very hard to reach every developmental milestone. Most people who hear we have a member of our family with Down Syndrome immediately say, "They are so sweet and loving."

While Chloe can be those things they are not the adjectives that first come to my mind when discribing her. I would say she is strong willed, determined, stubborn, independent, sensitive, girly and very, very flexible. She is part of the Deveaus Darlings cheerleading team. She loves to practice and will stand in front of anything with a reflection, i.e. mirror, TV, patio door and practice getting her moves just right. She has a smile that can light up a room.

Chloe's biggest challenge has been her inability to vocalize. As Chloe's aunt, I hope and pray for the day that she will be able to communicate with her friends and family whether through talking or a machine. The only benefit of this has been to her little brother who can blame everything on her saying, "Chloe did it!" We would all jump for joy at hearing her say, "Did not!"

Chloe's mom, Lisa is an active mom always on the go and a wonderful advocate for Chloe. She has fought hard for Chloe's rights making sure that she can get all the help possible. Nothing comes easy for a family who is touched by Down Syndrome and by sponsoring Lisa & Chloe Hipkiss in the Buddy Walk you are helping to raise awareness and funding for research.



Chloe with her mommy and brothers! They all love each other bunchies!

My Knitting Journey

It's funny sometimes it seems like I get lots finished when I'm knitting. I seem to crank items out much to my own amazement but lately that is just not the case. I feel like I am knitting just as much as normal but nothing is getting finished. Maybe my WIPs are just larger projects than normal, maybe my right arm is a little sorer than normal and I know my house is a lot cleaner than normal. No matter what the reason I decided I needed to give myself a pep talk and share what I am accomplishing instead of what I am not. Especially since knitting is not supposed to be a chore or job, each project is a journey toward completion much like life. I can choose to enjoy the journey and not get so rushed to get to the end.

The Pinwheel Sweater

I started this in November last year and worked on it during most of my weekly Knit Nights. There are seven color changes with 2o rows each color change. I am half done with the sixth color change. I drug this back out this week since it is getting closer to cool weather. Since the tendonitis in my right arm is acting up lately, I am trying to relearn to knit using the Lorilee Beltman Continental Knitting Method . I am hoping that if I can switch between my right and left hand I will avoid the flair ups.

Danica

I started this for my brother last Christmas. It was really fun to knit and the entralac was not near as hard as it looks. It became a UFO because I didn't like how the back looked and wasn't sure how to finish it. And knowing my brother would really like a Dicks gift card better it just became the easiest solution. I do think I want to finish this but not sure if I should knit a front and back a like and sew together or maybe a simple stockinette back in blue. Any thoughts?

Bonsai Tunic

I am up to the armhole shaping on the back of this top. I have been working on this more off than on for about a month. Normally, I finish something like this in a month but not this time. For some reason, I had to frog a lot ... I think it was my lack of paying attention to pattern. I may get it done this Fall if not ... there is always the Spring.

Mystery Stole 3 ... A.K.A. MS3

I hated this when I started it. I planned on never, ever, ever knitting anything lace again. But I felt the same way about knitting about six years ago. I determined to finish the 2XL Hooded
Sweater out of Homespun ... my first project ... no one told me that my first project was supposed to be a scarf. Actually, if I would have done a scarf first I may never had stuck with it so I am glad no one told me. Anyway, now I am truly growing to love knitting lace. It is truly different and watching the patterns unfold is wonderful.

I would only be about 30 rows from finishing Clue 4 and beginning the wing. Except that I decided to add length and do the alternate border. I didn't finish this with the group but I am so glad that I joined the MS3 KAL and began a love affair with lace. How romantic am I ... A Love Affair with Lace ... wouldn't it make a great title for a lace book.

Jaywalker

These socks are living in my car right now. I have about 10 days in each sock, so you can tell I've been doing most the driving lately. I have seen so many pairs of these on the web but I like mine best. I am not trying to be prideful but I love the funky color and think it is perfect with the funky zig zag pattern. I am also so excited that the second sock is working out as an identical twin ... this is a first for me. If you can't tell this is the newer Knit Pick sock yarn Felici in the colorway Aurora. I am really enjoying making these and am so tempted to make a pair in every colorway ... but I have so many other skeins of sock yarn that are just waiting to become socks.

Baby #1

This sweet little top is Jasmine Lace Edge Cardigan from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding . There are some cute patterns in this book but I am disappointed because the binding broke as soon as I opened it ... hopefully a little glue and clamping will fix it. Anyway, this has been a simple, fairly quick knit and I love the pink. This is for one of my mom's who is due the end of November. I will be so excited to add a new baby girl the first of the year to my childcare. Check out the buttons.

I so love these buttons ... they are perfect for this cardi. After seeing Miss Potter, I had to read through the Beatrix Potter series. We have been reading the Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit and Friends before nap each day which has been such a treat. So big sister and brother will be excited for the new baby to have Peter Rabbit buttons and they promise to keep the present a surprise. I think I am going to buy a cute stuffed bunny to wear the cardi when I gift it. I forgot to mention how much I loved the movie, if you love movies set in old time periods and true stories it is a must see.

Baby #2

This really should be a stealth project and I may get found out by posting this but you would never believe how many hours of knitting I have done on this project to get it this far. Here are a few clues.

1) It is worked on sizes 0 and 1 needles.
2)On the last row of ribbing I had to work 40ish increase evenly.
3)Each leg is 98 stitches across which means it is 196 stitches each row since I am working them at same time.

I will never be able to explain how bad my hands ached after finishing the ribbing. I had to almost completely stop knitting for a week until they were better. There is probably about 20 hours of knitting here so far. Did I mention that this is going to be an entire outfit with matching toy? Did I tell you how glad I am that I have until mid January to finish? Did I tell you how much I adore the soon to be mom? You probably figured that out because you wouldn't knit something like this for just anyone. This will be a treasured heirloom and worth every minute of the blood, sweat and tears that will most likely be shed.

Still Sittin and Knittin But Not Typin

We finally got a new PC and I will be able to start blogging again. I may actually figure out how to add cool stuff like links soon. I haven't been knitting quite as much since we have been trying to organize the house before winter hits and I have four kids who can't go outside and play at all.

But I have been knitting some so here goes.

Birthday Goodies!

This is for my little brother ... okay he is 30 something but he likes elephants. The pink washcloth is because we grew up in a small town that had this huge pink elephant sitting in front of the town liquor store.

What do you think? Color is close to same just minus the glasses and martini? This is a big hint on what small town I am from. Here is a close up of the stuffed elephant, I think he is such a cutey. I had to hide him so the kids wouldn't adopt him ...

Travelin' Socks

I discovered that if I want to actually finish a pair of socks I can have them live in the car. This is working great since I am not having to decide what project to take with me. I am lugging around less and hubbie isn't having to wait for me. Here is my newest finished pair and I am only 1/2 a sock away from another pair.

So how am I doing on the MS3?

Here is clue 3 finished ... I am most done with clue 4 but I decided to add length so hopefully I will have an update soon.

Fun Time at the Creek

Here are a few of my favorite pictures I took over the weekend. I got to borrow "My Girl" for an afternoon and we had so much fun.

I don't think I could have planned this picture any better if I tried. Two boys dressed alike, one with the fishin pole and one with the boots and a sweet tom girl in the middle with her trusty cowgirl hat!

She never let that hat out of sight. I love the reflection in the water!

We had such a fun day and she got to ride a horse for the first time!

P.S.

I'm getting ready to block and sew this cardi up for one of my mom's who is expecting a baby girl. The pink isn't neon even though the pick makes it look neon.

P.S.S

>

I finally got a picture of mom in her sweater.

Stitches and a Stashin'

Saturday was a really long and fun day in Chicago. We went on a bus chartered by MAKS. They did a great job for their first trip and I would consider going with them again next year.

There was so much to see and touch that it was pretty overwhelming. I normally like to look around then go back and make a purchase but there are so many vendors it was impossible. So I bought smaller items as I went along, next year I think I will just purchase 3 or 4 large kits instead.

I really enjoyed talking with the vendors there were many who were so friendly and helpful. So here is what I decided on.

This is everything together. I will break it down a bit.

This is one of my favorite purchase, it is a little weighted bag to hold your yarn and an knitting notebook to organize your stash. Janie the owner of Mind Your Knitting is a fellow knitter who had a great idea and decided to go for it. I truly think every knitter needs this little bag which keeps the ball of yarn from rolling under my Lazy Boy. I haven't started organizing (admitting too) my large volume of stash yarn but look forward to using this cute little book.

This yarn and pattern purchase came from Windy Valley Muskox. This was definitely the most impressive booth it was kind of like Discovery Channel meet LYS, they had TV set up so you could see the Muskox it was really interesting.

Rainbows by Leah Wulster. Leah was working the Knitting Software booth. She was so nice and bubbly and I am so excited to make this gorgeous sweater. It will take awhile since it is knit on #3 needles with Jojoland Melody Superwash (sock weight yarn). This was my biggest project purchase.

I loved these stuffed animal and thought they could really be a good stash buster.
You can buy the patterns at www.KnittingAtKnoon.com. I have already made the elephant and will be posting him soon.
And then I bought me soom sock yarn ... you know the yarn that doesn't count as stash.

I think that I will make these for my sister Sam eventhough I am mad at her for not telling me she has a new beau! She's been too busy! Maybe I might just keep this yarn for myself!

I like the color and texture of this.

This yarn is so I can pretend I am cool and make some Socks That Rock.

I loved this color combo it will probably be bootees or little girl socks. I was also impressed by the girl who dyes the yarn. She is a fun college student who is being resourceful by starting a side business. She also has a sock club check out her website at www.knittinghawkeye.etsy.com.
Well that is my stitches stash but I must include a picture of the funniest looking dog ever. My Selah with a new summer dou.

I hate how she looks with a shaved face so I only shaved her neck. Thank goodness it grows quick and she will look like a beautiful full coated sheepie again soon.

Have you ever ...

Have you ever ... had one of those mornings you wake up before 4 a.m and then toss and turn for an hour hoping to fall back to sleep and finally give up and start your day. Well, that was this morning. I have been putzing around for 4 hours and have been halfway productive. I even made my hubbie coffee.

Have you ever ... noticed watching your computer can be a lot like watching a pan of water on the stove. The waiting, the watching, the hoping you won't have to reboot.

Have you ever ... just "had to have" this yarn only the realize that it is by far the ugliest, most disgusting yarn imaginable. And then remember it was kinda expensive ... what was I thinking.

Have you ever ... been in the mood to knit and decided that your current six or so projects just weren't what you wanted to knit ... therefore casting on. What? I was on a cast on diet? Ice cream and yarn are a lot alike, you can never get enough of either one and they are both diet breakers.

Have you ever ... looked at the dishes and decided that your knitting was definitely priority ... and then looked at the dogs and realized that the grooming must win out over the knitting ... especially in flea season with a heat advisory.

Well, let's see what to share today! First off, it is finally Stitches time and the bus to Chicago will be leaving tomorrow first thing. This is my first time and I am so excited.

I have also been trying to finish up some older WIPs. I finally finished my Thrums a.k.a The Warmest Mittens on Earth. I used a kit from Fleece Artist and I loved this yarn and the color was awesome. This yarn was obviously not the fore mentioned yarn.

Pattern: IK Winter 2006 - Thrummed Mittens
Yarn: Fleece Artist Thrum Mittens Kit
Yarn Source: The Trading Post
Another Source: Camilla Valley Farm This ships from Canada so shipping can be quite high.

I also resumed working on a lone 3/4 finished sock and began its mate yesterday. I remembered the wise advise from the Yarn Harlot, "Always cast on 2nd sock as soon as 1st sock is complete." Good advise.

I am going to take these with me tomorrow and will hopefully have a finished pair tomorrow night. Six hours on a bus should not be wasted.

Well, today Clue 6 of Mystery Stole 3 was posted. How am I doing ... well ... I have finished 4 rows of Clue 3 as of about 6:30 am today. Which I immediately found an error in ... one row BEFORE my lifeline. How's that for double checking.

Clue 2 completed picture.

My biggest project today is...

This

More like this. Isn't taking pictures of dogs such a fun thing? They can be peacefully laying there... then you get the camera. I have about as much luck getting dog pictures as I do getting a 4 year old to smile "normal" for the camera.
Back to Selah, my 20 month Old English Sheepdog ... I add the 20 month so I can remember that she is still a toddler which explains her lack of bladder control. But today marks, her final shave of the year ... right AFTER the heatwave ... isn't my timing great. But considering I never brushed her after the last shaving it is a MUST.

And while I am off spending my hubbies money tomorrow I hope he resumes working on his current WIP.

First, it was this

Then, it was this

And now I keep hoping it will grow ... grow ... grow!

Oh yeah! Did I mention I started this.

I "really" needed something else on needles! You understand, don't you?

The State Fair results are in. Drum roll please.

Last night, we went to the open house at the fair and were able to see everything. It was very exciting. There were two items that I had high hopes for the Noah's Ark cross stitch and the Campanula. We saw the cross stitch first and I had gotten a THIRD PLACE. I was a little disappointed because I was sure that piece would do the best since I spent an entire year working only on it. The other two pieces that recieved 1st and 2nd were incredible which gave me a quick attitude adjustment. Mine was the biggest but sometimes bigger is not better ... except with diamonds.

Anyway once we found the knitting area, I was blown away by how well my items did. Out of the 14 items I entered I recieved 9 ribbons. 1 = FIRST.
3 = SECOND. 4 = THIRD. 1 = FOURTH. I was beside myself with giddiness.

I am not really sure how they do the judging. There were several of my entries that I wasn't expecting anything and they did well. They didn't look better than the other entries in the same class or were much simplier pieces. I would love to know how they judge.

Well if you want to see which item got what ribbon, look at my previous blog with all my entry pictures and you can see how each item did.

And It's Off to the Fair We Go...

Here goes this will definitely be a long entry since I want to show all 14 entries. This is my first year entering the State Fair and I am so excited ... especialy since it is about the third year I've talked about it. Most of my entries are knitting but there are a couple cross stitch pieces. Hope you enjoy my work, everything has been done within the last three years.

SECOND PLACE
Class: Adult's - Sweater, 1 color
Pattern: Josephine - IK Summer 2007

THIRD PLACE
Class: Adult's - Sweater, 2colors or more
Pattern: Tomato - No Sheep For You

FIRST PLACE!!!!!!
Class: Adult's - Sweater, dressy or evening
Pattern: Campanula - Knitters Spring 2007

THIRD PLACE
Class: Adult's - Sleeveless shell or vest
Pattern: Basic Vest (Fulled) - Book 2 The Purl Stitch

Class: Adult's Shawl or Scarf
Pattern: Prayer Shawl - Knitting Into the Mystery

THIRD PLACE
Class: Adult's Accessories
Pattern: Broad Street Mitten - Knitty

SECOND PLACE
Class: Child's Sweater - 1 color
Pattern: Julia's Aran Pullover and Hat
By Kristin Nicholas - Knit It Premier Issue

SECOND PLACE
Class: Child's Sweater - 2 or more colors
Pattern: Kid's Cozy Icelandics -
Ultimate Knitting Fall 2003

FOURTH PLACE
Class: Child's Accessories
Pattern: Fair Isle hat & scarf -
KAL book A Good Yarn

Class: Infant - Afghan
Pattern: Lydia's Baby Cables -
KAL book The Shop on Blossom Street

Class: Hand Knitting - Felting - Hats
Pattern: Fiber Trends - Felt Hat w/ Brim Variations

Class: Hand Knitting - Felting - Purses
Pattern: Felted Purse - Leisure Arts

AND NOW FOR THE CROSS STITCH

Class: Cross Stitch - Framed -
Design Area 101-150 sq. in.

THIRD PLACE
Class: Cross Stitch - Framed -
Design Area 151 sq. in. & over

Here is my table before I left.

Much better than before. It is now empty for the first time in weeks ... I think I have a tablecloth and nice vase somewhere!