A ribbed beret

 In our neck of the woods it is snowing...again.

At the beginning of the week there was only a little snow on the yard.

Then it snowed, almost melted, and this evening the mountain is encircled with clouds

and we are being sent more white stuff....sigh!

 The only good thing about this cold weather is

that it keeps the girls and I crafting.

Today they created "Fortresses" with popsicle sticks and hot glue,

while I knitted.

What a lovely day!

 My oldest daughter is modeling the beret I finished over spring break.

It fits her a little better than her younger sister.

But her little sister has made it clear, she isn't getting it.

Ravelry: Design B - Berets for Women and Girls

Yarn: Sirdar Escape DK

I am really happy how the beret turned out.

Some comments said that it turned out larger than they wanted.

So, I really watched my tension and decreases,

and think the end result is lovely.

Autumn shawl, wannabe

 This was really suppose to be done for the start of autumn.  Ahem!

Not sure what happened there.

However, since winter is still hanging around in these parts,

I have had many opportunities to enjoy this knit

Found the pattern and yarn on a trip to Victoria, BC last year.

The pattern is Silk Alpaca Babushka.  It is suppose to have a ruffle added all the way around the bottom edge.  After much thought, and the consent of my daughters.  I opted for the simple clean lines of no ruffle.  It is so the right choice for me!

The yarn is Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Sock Yarn.  A great yarn that wears really well.  Comfy and cozy!

The result is a shawl that I love to wear.  And thanks to my daughter, the new resident photog.

My ravelry project

Itsy Bitsy Pincushion

Say hello to the Itsy Bitsy Pin Cushion!

Ain't she cute?

I found the pattern on ravelry

It is a fun little evening project.

Easy enough to watch a movie with the kids

and finish the knitting in one evening.

I did my felting the next day,

but there is nothing stopping you from doing it the same night.

I threw mine in the washer on the hottest setting I have,

then checked on it several times until it had shrank enough to fit the batting.

After it dried for a couple of days,

I found a couple of cute buttons and embroidery floss

and finished her off.

Isn't she sweet?

You really should take a second look,

your scrap bag will thank you!

It is so much fun to do a quick project!

You can find her on ravelry here

Happy felting if you do!

Lenting children

So even though we aren't catholic, our girls are going to a great Catholic school.

During the time before Easter, the school participates in lent.  A time to abstain from something to help you focus on the Easter season and think about the sacrifices Jesus made.

Often choices are: chocolate; coffee, ice cream, TV, media, etc.  You know things that can be addictive.

However, I learned this week that children can take it a whole other way.

Like my youngest saying that her and her friend were going to lent from picking their noses and fingernails.

And my oldest deciding that she was going to lent from going to school.

Really?  At times they leave me speechless or doubling over in laughter.

Odd Socks

 When knitting for a 10 year-olds upcoming birthday,

you don't necessarily have to follow the rules or have things match!

 So I put aside my A-type personality,
which likes things "just so" sometimes

And embraced the fun side of these socks,
that I am sure my oldest daughter will just love!

Her sister "approves" of mom's choice of blue and lime green too.

I am thinking it should be a good birthday present!

Ravelled here

button play

I had one package of button hanging around.

Think I won it as a door prize somewhere.

I also had a little time,

mixed with a little creative juice.

So Papaya and I decided to be a little creative.

We snipped the backs off the buttons so that they were flat.

Added some hot glue and a thumb tack.

 Presto!  Super cute, super easy, super fun push pins.
Super girly too...

Here's another way to make them.
About a month ago I made a dozen using brads, which you can find at scrapbook stores.

I just broke the back metal pieces off,

added glue
and a tack.

Voila!
So much cuter than the regular push pin!

some thoughts

~ amazed that we are in February already, what happened to January?

~ feeling under the weather for days now

~ surprised by the sunlight

~ creating doll dresses

~ blessed by the lives of my 3 girls

~ thankful for a husband who loves me for who I am

~ awed by the beauty of freshly fall snow

~ inspired by color, life, little things

~ thankful for passions, hobbies, friends

~ centered on finding God's will for my life

~ peaceful about where I am in life

Finishing off 1.0

So, a fellow blogger posted a little while ago about "just start".  The idea of tackling those things that you seem to lack motivation for.

That one little post inspired me, to tackle a few "undone" projects around the house.

My problem usually isn't starting a project.  I tend to be excited, inspired, motivated by a new project, or two or, ahem, three.  Oh, the fabric, the yarn, the potential!  However, my attention and enthusiam can wane during the process.

I could be the Queen of WIPs.......but not today!

The girls

Our little gaggle of girls enjoying Maui back in December

frozen

northern lake,

my daughter and our dog

5 kms of trail and a pair of skiis

splendid!

sisters

they laugh, giggle, cry and fight,

sometimes they drive each other crazy

but somehow they always grow closer,

understanding each other, needing each other

family

for this i am thankful