Support our Troops

Here is a picture of my cousin Matt, he serves in the Army and is currently deployed to Iraq. This picture was posted on the Army's site. He's the one on the left. I'm proud of him for serving our country, but I hate that he is there and why our idiot president has these young men and women there. Please pray with me for his safe return home. Matt's mom and my cousin, Betsy, forwarded this link to us last week, I had been wanting to send it out to everyone, and today being 9/11 it just seemed appropriate to put it in my blog.

August 29, 2005 Spcs. Matthew Phelps and Martin Gonzalez, from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, search a house for insurgents and weapons in Rawah, Iraq. This photo appeared on www.army.mil


Soldiers from B Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division conducts patrol of the houses and banks of the Euphrates river looking for hidden weapons. B 3-21 is attached to 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry, 2-14 is in Rawah Iraq to suppress terrorist activities. Photo by SSG Kyle Davis, 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) (Released)

I also have another cousin there, serving in the Marines. David Paul Mendoza. Please pray for him too.

YAY! My Knit Picks Order Finally Arrived!!

Thank god it's finally here, I thought it would NEVER come!! This is the first time I've ordered from Knit Picks and I have to say that I am more than pleased. Other than it taking what seemed like forever to get here ... I have no complaints. And really I can't even complain about that because shipping is FREE, yes free, for orders over $30, I'm just impatient! The yarn is so soft and the colors are so vibrant. I can't wait to see the finished garments. Oh, I should mention that all this yarn is going to be knit into things for ME!! Yes, I'm treating my self to a few items. I figure after this I'm going to get started on Christmas presents, so I better do it now, otherwise I'll have to wait until next year. Besides it's not like I was out of control all the yarn and the 3 patterns came in less that $70 ... I can't beat that price!


Chickami in Merino Style - Dusk

Ribby Shell To-Be

I will be knitting the Ribby Shell from ChicKnits with this ... LOVE this color!!

Merino Style - Iris

The Eyelet Cardi To-Be

I will be knitting The Eyelet Cardi from ChicKnits with this ... can't wait to get started!


Merino Style - Coal

Here's Bronty

Just love knitting up these Dinosaurs! Such an easy weekend project. Now I'm going to mass produce the set for Jack's September Birthday Buddies! Hope they like them as much as Jack does.

Bronty

One Skein Wonder

What a fun one this was! Instant gratification!! My sister in-law Julie LOVES orange, so when I came across this yarn at Elann several months ago I just knew I couldn't pass it up. The only thing was I had no idea what I would make with it. Then I saw the One Skein Wonder. Obviously this yarn would require more than one skein, but it was worth it! I ended up using 5 balls of Valeria di Roma 100% Angora yarn doubled. I hope she loves it!

Jack modeling Julie's One Skein Wonder Shrug

rear view

I'm pleased to introduce Klaralund

This is the first garment I've made for myself and I'm quite happy with it. It was a fun and pretty easy knit. Like the sweater for Jack, if I use the pattern again I will knit in the round for the body and the arms up until the point where I need to attach them to the body. I haven't had a chance to wash it yet, but I'm still trusting that it will be softer and not so scratchy.


Klaralund

Jack's Sweater in Regata

It's finally complete. I have to say that I thought it would never happen. I had to re-work the back shoulders and neck once (the pattern was wrong), then redo the collar 3 times. Thanks to Sheree, she gave me a tip to bind off loosely since it was too tight to fit over his head the 2nd time. But finally it's done and I am pleased with it. And Jack loves it too, that's the best part. I can't get him to take it off after asking him to model for pictures.

This is the first sweater I've completed, it's a lot of work. I think the next one (after the Klaralund sweater that I'm currently working on) I will modify the pattern and knit it in the round. There is just no reason to have to do all that seaming. Anyway, here are the pictures.

Best Model Pose

I Love My New Sweater!!

Another View

I can't stop starting new projects!!

It's insane really. I started a quick baby blanket for a shower I'm going to tomorrow. I hope I finish. I'm still working on Jack's sweater, I'm about 1/3 of the way done with the front. And still working away on my Klaralund, I'm done with one sleeve and about 1/2 way done with the back. Then I'm going to cast on this One Skein Wonder for my sister in law tonight. Of course I'm using different yarn so it will be more than one skein, but I saw this and thought it really looked like her. So that's all on the knitting front. As if it's not enough!! Mike says it drives him crazy that I have so many projects going on at the same time, I guess he'll just have to get used to it!

Trice the Dinosaur is Completed

I knitted up another dinosaur for Jack last weekend. They go pretty fast so they are a fun easy project. And Jack loves them, which makes them extra special to knit. This guy looks pretty cool tromping through the Bougainvillea out front.

Another Dinosaur for Jack

Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Filling
3 C Cooked Chicken (Cubed)
1 pkg Frozen Peas
1 pkg Frozen Parisian Carrots (If you can't find these use other frozen or fresh chopped)
3 C Chicken Broth
16 T Butter (2 sticks)
1/2 C Flour
1/2 C Chopped Onion
1/2 C Chopped Celery
Salt & Pepper to taste

Crust
1 C Shortening (I like the butter flavored)
3 C Flour
1 t Salt
8-10 T Ice Cold Water

Melt butter in pot, add celery and onion. Cook until soft and translucent. Add flour, stir well, slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add Frozen veggies and chicken. Cook until thick and bubbly. Salt & Pepper to taste.

Prepare dough for crust. Roll out 1/2 dough for bottom crust. Place bottom crust in 9X13 Pyrex dish. Prick bottom with fork. Cook @ 350 for 10 minutes. Roll out top crust. Turn oven up to 400. Poor chicken/veggie/gravy mixture into cooked crust. Top with remaining crust. Bake for 35 minutes @ 400. Let stand for 10-15 minutes.

Tip - For a tender flaky crust don't over work the dough. Just roll out large enough to fit pan and fill in cracks or holes. Don't worry about how it looks! Taste is more important.

ROARRRRRRRRR

This guy turned out pretty cool and I got to learn a few new knitting techniques. This was a lot of fun to knit. I got the pattern from She Knits Shizknits blog. He has 2 brothers that I'm going to knit too.


Mr. Stegs

And I'll probably knit up a few more sets for nephews and his September 2002 birthday buddies. But I have to confess, I've committed a Yarn Snob sin...I bought jumbo skeins of acrylic yarn from Michael's to do it. I know I know it's bad, but I just couldn't resist $2.49 for all that yarn, it's not going to be worn and it needs to be durable and washable. I'm just trying to justify myself. I may regret it later, who knows what it will feel like in my hands.

Memorial Day Weekend - WIP

Last week was my Friday off, so I ended up with a 4 day weekend ... whoohooo, and all I had planned was knit, knit, knit. Well that and enjoy our front patio and the nice ocean breeze. Jack played out front and I knitted away, it was a perfect weekend! Oh I also did a bit of cooking. I made a chicken pot pie for my friend who just had a baby, actually made 2, one stayed home. I'll post that recipe too, it's Mike's favorite. Back to knitting. I'm coming along pretty well with my Klaralund Sweater, pretty close to having one arm completed. I also worked on a dinosaur for Jack. I'll post pictures of that when I complete it tomorrow.

Klara Arm #1

Finally the back is completed for Jack's sweater in Regata. I'll start the front this week.

Completed Back

I knitted up this hat real quick for a friends baby, the shower is in a couple weeks, so I took advantage of the long weekend and got it out of the way. I was going to use the Peruvian Baby Cashmere from Ellan that I had used for the other, but I didn't have enough yarns, so I paired it with some left over Peruvian Silk in Purple and I turned out really cute...I think so anyway!

Baby Hat

Meet the future Klara...

Here's my stash of Noro Silk Garden for the Klaralund Sweater Knitalong. This is the start of the sleeve, I thought I was starting the back...oops! Shouldn't do these things when I'm tired and taking drugs (didn't I learn better with the mimosa's??)...anyway, it's all good. I really love how this is knitting up, but I'm not too impressed with the actual yarn. It's really stiff, I expected it to be a bit smoother with the high silk and mohair content, and there is lots of vegetation that I'm having to pull out. Also I've come across two knots already. I read some reviews I guess this is pretty common, a little frustrating for the cost of the yarn. So glad I didn't pay full retail! Gotta love e-bay!! But the colorway is to die for and I really like the sweater!!


my noro stash

Introducing Arleigh's Summer Swing Top!

I have to brag. I think this turned out GREAT!! I'm so pleased with this. The yarn was wonderful to work with. The pattern was pretty easy to follow. I'm sure my difficulties were just my lack of knitting experience. But hey, I can't knit scarves forever! I live in Southern California for heaven's sake! And I've never been into following the rules, if I'm in to something I jump in with both feet!

Anyway, I tried it on Jack, he wouldn't let me take a picture (what's up with that? Isn't he too young to realize I put him in a girls shirt??) but it's going to look great on Arleigh. I wish her birthday wasn't so far away (August). I intended on making it a gift when I started found the pattern and yarn, I honestly thought it would take me a lot longer. Well she may just have to get it earlier:) I've always been like that, when I get a really cool gift for someone I just can't stand it and always give it ealier. Dh and I were terrible for years, we always opened Christmas gifts early!

I still need to block it so the hem doesn't curl so much. But overall I'd call this a success!


Summer Swing Top

Close Up

Lucious Spinach Artichoke Dip

I've been meaning to post this new recipe I tried on Mothers Day. It was really yummy and very easy. I did substitute fresh spinach for frozen, but that was the only change. I always like to use fresh over frozen veggies when I can. Hope you enjoy it!

Luscious Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 370 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2 In a 1-quart casserole dish, combine artichoke hearts, sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, garlic and frozen spinach. Mix well.
3 Bake covered for 25 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

Jack's Sweater in Agadir

Can you say ribbit? Ugh I've now had to rip it back twice. Needless to say I'm getting a bit frustrated!! This is still the back and I'm just starting the decreases for the arms.

not much progress

Klaralund Knitalong

Come knit with me :) I just got my yarn, Noro Silk Garden #39 LOVE it love it love it. Will post pictures later.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/klaralund_knitalong/

Lesson Mimosa's and Knitting are not a good idea for beginning knitters...

So on Mother's day I took Jack's sweater to work on at my mom's house. Thought this will be perfect, sit around with the family knit a little, sip mimosa's.... NOT I haven't picked up the sweater since Sunday (I've been working on Arleigh's top since I have a deadline for that project) so it's time to start making decreases for the arm holes... and I notice that the SS part of the pattern in the section below is bigger than the one I'm working on. So I think, well I'm knew, so maybe the gauge of my stiches is just that uneven. It can't be that bad, right ... so I count, and let me tell you this yarn is hard to see, I felt like I was going cross eyed, but I count 16 rows, not 12. UGH. So rip-it I go through 2 whole sections of pattern work. YUK!! I won't make that mistake again. No consumption of adult beverages while I'm knitting until I can learn to handle my liquor AND my needles at the same time! I'm putting this down and will come back to it later when I'm not so frustrated!

WIP's

I started 2 new projects this weekend now that I have the needles required. The first is a Summer Swing Top for my neice Arleigh, I'm using Peruvian Baby Silk from Ellan. The pattern called for worsted weight, but I wasn't finding the colors or the texture I wanted, so I'm doubling the Baby Silk. It's so soft, and it's going to lay really nice for this pattern. The pattern is an intermediate skill level, and I'm really a beginner, but It's coming together. I had to practice what it called a Dpd (Double Purl Decrease), Which looks to be like a SSP (slip, slip, purl) with a slip over. It took a few tries but I was able to figure it out. I'm a little nervouse about the neck and shoulders but I have a while before I get there. Her birthday is in August, so I've got a little time.

The second project I started is sweater for Jack from a Pingouin pattern book, I'm using Katia Regata for the yarn. I got the pattern and yarn from Ellan. It's a bit hard to see in the picture, but I love the way the pattern looks, the textures are wonderful and this yarn is working nicely. It's a cotton blend, pretty easy to work with, and will make a nice sweater for a boy. I'm about 1/3 of the way done with the back, it's coming along quite fast.

So that's what I've got going now. I'll post pictures of my progress next week.

Sweater for Jack

Summer Swing Top for Arleigh

Talk about a UFO ... EEK

Ok, I finally dug this out and I swear I'm going to finish it this month!! My nephew turned 5 in January and I started this before he was born. I'm feeling major auntie guilt for letting this sit for so long. I can't find the thread I was quilting with, so I'll have to hit a fabric store this weekend and try to match the color. I actually don't have a lot left to do, maybe 1/4 of the quilting left, then the binding. As soon as I pulled this out Jack wanted to lay on it. Hopefully he won't become too attached before I give it to Blake. Guess I'll need to make one for him too. That's ok, I really love quilting.

Blake's quilt started over 5 years ago--check out the date!!!

I'll have to find a picture of the one I made for Hunter, Blake's older brother, I loved the way it turned out. I also have quite a few squares made for my grandmother before she left Oklahoma over 50 years ago. Her neighbors, well I guess that was what you'd call them, they were on a dairy farm, so the ladies from the surrounding farms, had all made squares for her to use to make a quilt to remember them by. Obviously she never got around to it. But what I'd really like to do is make a quilt for each of her children (3) to keep then pass down to one of their kids (my cousins), and of course one for myself, since it is my hard work!! ;p

My real challenge is how to fit it in between work, being a mommy, being a wife, and most importantly being a knitter ... Only kidding of course. But I'm so obsessed with knitting I don't know how I'm going to resist my knitting needles for a quilting needle. I'll let you know how it's going.

My Addi's are Here, My Addi's are Here!!!!

Yahooooooo my big addi turbo order is here all the way from Hong Kong!! I put together an order with some of the crafty mamas from my attachment parenting group so we could get a discount on these. We got them for just about 1/2 off retail and no shipping. A really good deal which allowed us to stock up for future projects. Even with all these sets, I'm sure I'll need more, but this is a good start. I'm so addicted to knitting!! At least I can start doing something with all that yarn I bought last month! LOL!

I'm finally posting a picture of the blanket I knitted for Jack. I used Trendsetter Blossom color 101 using US#11 needles. This yarn is so soft you don't want to put it down. It's great to work with. Jack loves this blanket, calls it his nimming :) This was my first big item, it's not very even, you can see how my stitches changed through out it, but that's ok, Jack loves it and that is all that matters.

Close Up

FOs

Well I've finished a couple projects, but I can't post pictures since they are gifts. So we'll have to wait until after their birthday's to see them. I'm working on another gift right now. Then I've got yarn to make 2 different sweaters for Jack and a Summer Swing Top for my niece. These will be the first real clothing items I've knitted so I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I just place an order for some new circular knitting needles and I can't wait until they get here so I can start working on my new projects. A group of women from a subgroup of my attachment parenting mom's group placed a big order to get a good deal on the price. The person we are buying from has really good deals anyway, Your Wonderland store on eBay, his link is on my page. Anyway it's probably a good thing that they aren't so I can finish what I'm working on now. Ok, I'm off to make some good progress on this current project.

It was way too small to fit on Jack's noggin so I modeled it on one of his teddy bears. I think it turned out really cute and am really happy with it. I will definately knit it up for baby gifts in the future. ...And this yarn is so soft and delicious!

In this picture you can see the eyelets that make it adjustable.

This is a close up of the newborn hat I made for my friend Autumn's baby. It's knitted on US#8 16" Circs, Peruvian Baby Cashmere in Cashmere Blue It was really easy, took me probably 4 hours to finish, I'm sure a more experienced knitter would finish quicker. I doubled the yarn to get worsted weight.

Close up.

Scarf/hood for my MIL Cheryl. Used Schoeller Stahl Volare on US#8.

My first scarf, I knitted it for Mike. I've since ripped it out and re-knitted it :p I used Trendsetter Zucca, very soft.

A new place to check out my stuff...

I borrowed this idea from one of my crafty mom friends. Just wanted a place to share my latest projects. Hope you like it :)