Happy New Year!

"It's a new year and there's gonna be new rules around here!"
I quote my mother in law every year, just so I can get to my DH. Hmmmph, I bet the new year looked a lot like the old one after awhile. Well I don't know about new rules, but I'm looking forward to some interesting,exciting times. It's gotta be better that 2011, right?

I figured since Mochahantas is busily painting everyone's portrait, I would sneak in a post of my first finished object of the year...

Mon Raspberry Beret (more like strawberry)

As of today, it was dry enough to brave the frigid weather.  Talk about night and day, brrrrrr! I made it up as I went along, which is why it's fits so swimmingly, ugh! (nothing a coupla Bobby pins can't fix.)

Here are the particulars:
Pattern:  I started from the center and increased 6 stitches every other row.  I ran out of yarn so I only have a 1/2"-3/4" rim.  I'll probably rip out the rim and redo the edge for a tighter fit.  Scrap the aforementioned Bobby pin solution.

Yarn: 1 skein of Cascade Venezia  and a US10 needle.

Review: Love the yarn, it's so soft and has a slight sheen.  HOWEVER, it pills something horrible (yes, already). Probably won't buy it again ; (

Mochahantas has just declared she needs "sumpin' else to eat"! Yes sa boss sa! ... I gotta go!

 

Merry Christmas

Writers' Block?

It's not like life doesn't keep rolling along, or that Mochantas isn't still up to her antics, because it does and she is. I wondered about what my post would be about after such a long hiatus. Should I throw up a bunch of pictures of what I've sewn and knitted? Do I go on a rant on how my right brained, visual learner boys struggle in a left brained learning system. Do I confess the sin (well ok maybe not a sin) of buying a boat load of yarn that was just toooooo hard to resist and post yarn porn(lol). I struggle...with everything it seems. So much of my life right now is heavy, emotionally. I just don't have the je ne sais quois, the vouloir to speak of anything cogent. Not now, I'm still in the womb of it all...maybe birth pangs more accurately describes it. I am blessed however, to have enough distractions in life (Thing 1, Thing 2 and Mochantas) to remind me that there is a bigger life on the outside, and that this too, shall pass.

So for y'all visual people...


Shopping is definitely not genetic...I hate shopping. Mocha is such a shopaholic and "needs" sumpin everytime we go out! I've started praying for her husband.

Started making bags again...


















Just a taste, sorry to tease...




Blessings to you for Christmas!

Malware, spyware, stealware, stupidware...

THE RANT...
Seriously I hate bad people. Despite 2 programs, I still manage to get attacked by some cyberjerk GRRAARhhh! Now my computer is in some back room somewhere getting "fixed".
END RANT

Garden update...I got a baby watermelon growing!!! I thought that lousey woodchuck/beaver/groundhog (I don't know what it is) got 'em all. We need more rain though...

Some projects...


Yarn:Love this cotton (Hobby Lobby)
Pattern: Debbie Stoller's H.appy H.ooker
Verdict: Quick and easy pattern. Would probably make it longer next time



Fabric: 1yd Cotton prints
Store: Joann's
Pattern: Mine
Verdict: I cut them all at once and put them together in an assembly line fashion. The boys love 'em.



How's your summer going?

I'm bored...

And so now it starts!!! 2 minutes outta school and this the daily song! You kids gotta learn how to relax. Now go get your summer workbooks and do 2 pages!!!




It's amazing what they can come up with, when threatened with "school work"!


Awww! Hard at work, emptying the pool and washing Mom's car!

Now for the reward!!!

Bags, Bags everywhere!

Details: Crochet bag, stripe lining
Bling: Bamboo handles
Pattern: Stitch 'N B.itch Crochet: The Happy H.ooker by Debbie Stoller
Yarn: Red Heart




Details:Quilted bag with ruffled insert.
Bling: Chain strap and pearlized buttons at flap
Pattern: My own




Matching lining inside with 2 patch pockets


Details: Stripe Tote (18" x 14") Stripe canvas with w/twill contrast (casing). Brown webbing straps.
Bling: ties with beads
Pattern: Lunch Bags by Design Collective
Pattern alteration: Added Pocket


Pocket detail was added. Shoestring ties to it doesn't open when the bag is scrunched while wearing. Another teacher gift!


Basic Tote- denim with orange gingham lining. Patch pocket.
9 1/2"x 9 1/2" x 2"
Bling: Bead fringe
Pattern: Lunch Bags! by Design collective.
Patten alteration: Size, patch pocket and insert at sides.


Teacher Gift, she happens to be an orangophile. (tee, hee) I hope she like it.

More bags coming...then its the summer of BOYZ!!!

How does your garden grow?

I've been sooo busy filling handbag orders (pics soon), among other things that the end of May just sneaked by. Here's one of the things I've been up to...

First, I had to buy and cut the wood @ H.ome D.epot...

Then, I was off to the gardening section...

Painting was the most fun!

I quite enjoyed building the frame.

Mochantas took over the back breaking work!

More raking, JOY!
A little batting of the eyelashes and she got Daddy to do the heavy lifting.

I think I hear her negotiating compensation!

She walked off the job when she heard there'd be no purchasing of more D.ora crap stuff.

Potato is taking off in one 4x4! Wonder when I'm supposed to harvest this stuff?

Onions and tomatoes are doing well in the other!

April projects- Knitting

The Poncho Sweater



Description: Hooded bias knit sweater made in 2 pieces then seamed in the middle.
Pattern: Self drafted.
Yarn: marled merino.
Needle: sz10


198 yds of Copper



Description: Triangle shawlette using 198yds of yarn.
Pattern: 198yds of Heaven (rav link)
Yarn: Rayon
Needle: sz9

My first lace knit! Frustrating as you can imaging when you get so far and you realize you have dropped stitch or not yarn over when you should have. The pattern was intuitive and I would definitely try another one, but make it bigger.

April Sewn Projects

Dress for Mom, using this pattern:





Fabric: Chocolate with yellow pinstripe rayon linen. Unfortunately the stripes didn't photograph well.
Pattern: had a lot of pieces and fun details like the loops on the button cuff and edgestitching on all the contrast. It took a about 8hrs to complete.
Verdict: I love the front. The baggy back doesn't work for me, but She loves it.

Shorts for Mocha


Used the shorts of this pattern but created bag pockets. Mochahantas has to have somewhere to put all her rocks. Really easy pattern, took a couple of hours.
Fabric: 1/2yd cotton/poly from Joann's
Patten: Really easy. Took a couple of hours with the bag pocket.
Verdict: Will be making a few of these!

Ties for the boys




Wanted to make those clip on ties but I couldn't find a source for the clips. The boys prefer the elastic anyway.
Fabric: Fat quarters in the discount bin @ Joann's ($.75 ea!)
Pattern: My own draft.
Verdict: They were quick and easy to put together...I will be making more!