Good Times

We had a really NICE time in San Diego! So good to see Megan and have her close by for a change. (she's originally from Miami) She took us on a little walking tour of the UCSD campus, and we visited the bookstore. It's a beautiful campus, very wooded and quiet.

Then we were off to Sea World. I hadn't been there in 20 years or so, and it's all different now. It used to have just the shows, and tanks with various creatures, and that was about it. Now it's almost a real amusement park. Noey loved the playground area the most, and would have stayed there all day long if we'd let her.
After we finally dragged Noey out of there, we celebrated the birthdays in our beautiful suite at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. (our suite was almost as big as my first apartment!) I made birthday crowns for all the girls, and Noey actually wore hers to dinner at the Soup Plantation.

This morning we had brunch with Megan, and then hit the road for home. It was hard to leave her.

The Fingerless Mitts were a big hit, although Noey had known about hers in advance, and my mom didn't know what to do with them!
For those of you who asked I found the pattern here. I'd still like to make a pair for myself, maybe in pink.

So, this is what I worked on in the car both ways, and last night. It's my first Project Spectrum project (started a little early). I'm attempting to make a Circular Shrug/Vest that is very similiar to the Vintage Bolero, but hopefully faster and easier. Although now I'm wondering if it really will be faster, since I only managed to get about 3 inches done in about 5 hours time.
I found this "pattern" by accident on Craftster. It's very vague and uses a lot of calculations, so I'm crossing my fingers that it will work!

More Mitts!

These went fast!! I started and finished the first one last night, the second one this afternoon. I seem to knit in lots, ie; hats, washcloths, now mitts.

I asked Noey to model her new mitts, and she laid right down on the floor! I usually put my FO's on the floor to photograph...funny kid!

So here's a close up of the mitts in action. These match one of the many hats I've made for Noey.
The set will come in handy as Noey has decided she wants to take ice skating lessons instead of ballet!

We're off to San Diego in the morning to go to Sea World for Noey's, Megan's, and Mom's birthdays. I'm still trying to decide what knitting projects to take with me. Dad's driving so I should have a couple of hours of knitting time each way, not to mention an hour or so in the hotel tomorrow night after the child goes to sleep!

Don't adjust your sets

These are actually two different mitts made with the same yarn. I thought I might try something a little different with the mitt on the left, but it turned out way too big. My mom has very slender hands, so I went back to the all over rib style.
The good news is I stepped out of my "follow the pattern exactly" box, and tried something on my own. The "big" mitt actually turned out well, and I would've kept it for myself if I'd had enough yarn.

In other news, I heard from my Project Spectrum Postcard Swap Pal (PSPSP) today. Hi Barbara!! Now I've got to come up with a cute, clever, and extremely creative postcard!

Some additions to my Knitting Library.

I haven't had a chance to watch the DVD yet (my TV viewing time is very limited), but I leafed through the books and they are pretty good. I found a couple of cute sweaters in Big Knitting that I might add to the ever growing To Knit list.
I was looking for an all purpose knitting reference book, and although The Knitting Answer Book is not it, it will provide some useful information.

Long Weekend

I had Friday off, Noey did not! So I got in some ME time. After I dropped her off at school I headed for Walmart. Our Walmart is fairly new, not as nice as some, and has NO selection of yarn. But I like to go there every once in a while. After Walmart I hit Michael's, which does have a nice selection of yarn, and ran a few other errands before picking Noey up from school.

Noey woke up with a cold Saturday, but we had to do some shopping, so out we went in the rain. (bad mommy....taking a sick child out in the rain!) I spent my Robinsons May and Marshall Fields gift cards on a new purse and sunglasses, and a birthday gift for my mom. Then we went to Toys R Us for birthday gifts for two of Noey's friends. I knew Noey was really sick when she just wanted to leave Toys R Us and not look at any toys.(bad, bad mommy)

Noey went to Color Me Mine on Sunday for the first time for her friend, Bailey's birthday party. She was so excited. (she still had the sniffles but I sent her anyway!) She painted a giraffe and a butterfly, and we'll get them next Sunday. I got in a little more ME time, now that Noey is old enough to be dropped off at parties, although I did worry about her a bit.

Today we both had the day off, so after I cleaned the entire house, we went to the grocery store! We spent the rest of the day in the house, me trying to keep it clean, Noey doing her best to get out all the toys I just put away.

We lead an exciting life, don't we?

I finished up some Fingerless Mitts. These will be for my niece for her birthday. I've been wanting to make some for a while, and finally found a pattern I like. Noey wants some too, so I think I will surprise her with pair when I give Megan hers this weekend. These are pretty fast and easy. I started these Thursday night, and finished them Saturday afternoon. I'm also planning to make a pair for my mom since we'll be celebrating her birthday next weekend too. I like to think of these as California Mittens....it never gets cold enough around here to wear actual mittens, but these will be perfect for when it dips down to 50 degrees!

It's hard to take a picture of your own hand! My arms just aren't long enough to get the full view.

Those were the good ole' days

Joe and I have been together almost 18 years. In the early years Valentine's Day was an event that involved new outfits and dinner reservations at fancy restaurants. Gifts started with a dozen roses and Godiva chocolate, and ended with JEWELRY! (I've amassed quite a jewelry collection over the years.) We even spent a long, romantic weekend in Vegas one year. (where a WWF wrestler hit on me, and I met Dennis Rodman....but that's a story for another day!)

But somewhere over the years the celebrations started to dwindle. A box of chocolates and a card. After Noey was born she got lots of goodies, candy and stuffed animals, and I would get a card and maybe a bouquet of flowers bought 10 minutes before at Albertson's.

But this year takes the cake. Nada. Zip. Nothing! Not even a "Happy Valentine's Day!"

So I really could empathize with Shannonwhen I read her blog today. Men! Why don't they get it??

As you can see I'm back to working on Sitcom Chic. I had started a tank top for my niece, but my heart wasn't in it. After all the Christmas knitting, and the hats, I just want to knit something for myself! I've finished the body, and I'm now working on the first sleeve.

Student of the Month!

It was a wonderful moment. Noelle was so proud when she heard her name called over the loudspeaker. She ran right up to the principal to receive her award. She smiled from ear to ear, and just beamed!! Daddy came to the ceremony too, which made it extra special.
It was hard to get a good pic since the sun really bothers Noey's eyes. This is Mrs. Gutierrez, her Kindergarten teacher.

Noey and I celebrated after school by getting an ice cream cone and picking up cupcakes to share with Daddy. She received a Mimi's Restaurant certificate, so we'll all go out to eat when Daddy has the time. (which is rare these days) Later that night Noey tried to con an extra bedtime video out of me since she was "Student of the Month"!

Thank you for all your nice comments for Noey! and I didn't cry during the ceremony. I was too caught up in videotaping it. But I cried that morning before we left for school, and I cried that afternoon while waiting in the car for the kid! and even now, when I think about it, or look at the award I start to well up again!

Poor Sitcom Chic has taken the backseat again! I cast on yet another project. This is the Cool Summer Top from Hip Knits. I'm using Classic Elite Provence in a really pretty turquoise. I like the feel of this yarn and it works up really nice.

My niece, Megan, will be 19 on March 6. so this is for her. We'll be celebrating Noelle's and Megan's birthdays the last weekend of February, a bit earlier than I planned. Megan's boyfriend is coming out for her actual birthday and she doesn't want her cousin, aunt, and grandparents around!! So I needed to get going on this. I think I can get it done in two weeks. It's a fairly simple pattern.

It's 94 degrees here....do you know where your Panta is?

This weather is killing me. I have a headache from the heat and I can't breathe from the fires! So what's a girl to do? Why, make a Panta of course! This is the cutest thing, although chances are I will never wear it! I originally saw Kaity's on the Cover Your Head KAL, but after researching further, I found them all over blogland.
I started this Monday afternoon thinking I might be able to get it done for my mom to take on her trip. On the site where I found the pattern, the girl said she finished it in an hour! Well, not me....finished it this afternoon....my mom left this morning! Oh well, Noey wants it. (despite the sad face, she really likes it!) Last I saw she was wearing it around her ankles!

So now I'm back to Sitcom Chic once again. I'm making it a little longer than the pattern says, as I'm a little longer than the average person. Just two more inches and then I can move on to sleeves!

Tears will be flowing come Thursday

I'm a very emotional person. I well up all the time, especially over Noey. Doesn't matter if it's good or bad....I cry.

Today I got a notice that Noey is Student of the Month and will get a special award on Thursday at the Tiger Pride Assembly.

The tears have already started, so I know come Thursday I will be sobbing and embarrassing myself at the assembly. (and it will all be caught on tape!)

and now back to our regularly scheduled knitting...

I finished my mom's hat last night at 10:40pm. I love the colorway, but it pooled towards the top. I didn't notice the pooling until it was too late. Hopefully my mom will like it. We're really not a hat wearing family except for Noey.

So now I'm back to working on Sitcom Chic. It's slow going at this point, miles of stockinette. I worked on it for about 30 minutes today while waiting in the car for Noey. Her ballet class was cancelled today and I was really disappointed.....not for her, but for me! That was 45 minutes of knitting I missed out on!

I ordered a Sock instructional DVD over the weekend. I am determined to learn to knit socks, but everytime I try on my own I get frustrated and confused. So hopefully seeing the process will clear things up for me. I also ordered Big Knits and The Knitting Answer Book. (I had to meet the $40.00 minimum!!)

Later that same day...

My mom called and asked if I had any "spare hats". My parents are going to Iowa this week and it's 11 degrees! (Eleven degrees!) I didn't have any adult size hats available so I agreed to whip up a hat by Tuesday night. I ran to JoAnn's, picked out several yarns, emailed pics to my mom, and this is what she chose. I think I can have it done by Tuesday, I think I can, I think I can!

My parents are going to Iowa for my Great Uncle Clark's 100th birthday party! He was born in Williamsburg, Iowa and has lived there his entire life! Up until he was 95 he was still driving the tractor in his corn fields. More than 50 family members are coming to his party. Wish we could be there too.

Remember Doug?

The guy who works for my hubby who had brain surgery last fall?

I had made him a brown hat earlier and I was wondering if he liked it. When I asked Joe about it, he said "Yeah, I guess so".

Well, last week Joe came home and said Doug would like another hat, dark blue this time. I guess he liked it!! I asked Joe if he would take a picture of Doug wearing his hat for my blog and he just gave me the "are you kidding me?" look!
I used LB Wool Ease this time. It's much softer and probably more comfortable than the Cascade 220.

I'm still working away on Sitcom Chic. Just a couple more inches until I start the sleeves. I'm having a heck of a time with my Denise Interchangeable needles. One side keeps disconnecting itself and a bunch of stitches fall off. Very frustrating!

I'm thinking about starting my legwarmers for the KAL. I'm going to use the pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, I have the yarn already. But I'm feeling a little guilty about all the WIP's sitting around.