Felted Bag

I found this cute little pattern in a book I got. I used Rowan Chunky Print yarn -- a really thick, bulky wool, and on fairly large needles, it knit up really quickly. I knit most of it while I was waiting to hear back from my sister - they'd taken my niece to the hospital/doctor for an allergic reaction. I was worried and needed to pass the time. I meant to take a picture before felting, but I forgot. But the magic happened in the washing machine. I love how the colors of the yarn meld together now. I would have liked for the strap to be a little longer, but I used every little bit of that ball of yarn. It still works, though. I rather like it. Can be used for quick gifts.

My First Swap

Swap package
Originally uploaded by iloveyarn

Here's what I received from my swap partner in a group on ravelry.

I've been dying to make the sweater pictured in the pattern and can't wait to get started on it!!

Consolation Prize!

Stacy sent me a consolation prize for not getting the blog candy (didn't link back to her blog -- which I'm still trying to figure out how to do -- lol). And it is so sweet! She sent some chipboard tabs, a clear stamp (flower), these adorable ballerina slippers and sentiment "twinkletoes" stamps and some ric-rac! She shouldn't have done that! My sister is going to fight me over the ballerina stuff -- good thing we live so close to one another -- I promise I'll share! : ) Here's a picture of my goodies!

Random Crafting

This is the reason I don't get things accomplished that I need to get accomplished. Or why it takes me forever to finish a project. I get sidetracked so easily. I may be knitting something and an idea pop into my head about beading, so I go pull out my wire and beads and needlenose pliers... My sister has me experimenting with card-making. I'm no good at it, so no one will probably ever see my gaudy creations (I don't have an eye for color and layout like she does -- I just like sparkly things and pouring glitter on cardstock fulfills my need for bling-y stuff for the moment. Either that or I put on sparkly-sparkly eyeshadow, but we won't get into that...) And while I'm in the middle of something else, the paint bug bites me -- I like to paint glassware. (I guess I need to start taking pics of some of my other stuff -- don't know why I only get shots of my knitting.) I've also decided to try hand-dying/painting my own yarn, and my first shipment of those supplies will be in this week. I only have 2 weeks before I have to go back to work, so I have a lot to do!!! Well, I just had to get that out. Because it is insane, the number of projects I have started and are in waiting...

Do I look pretty?

Ethan is at that stage where he wants to pretend to do everything he sees mommy do. He loves to stand in front of the bathroom sink and pretend to put on makeup. He usually does this while I'm putting on mine. I give him an old brush and an empty makeup container. Because if it doesn't look like what I'm using, it's no good, you know. If, on a whim, he decides to "put on makeup" at random times throughout the day (i.e. when I'm not looking and he finds an opportunity), he is coloring his face with markers in front of the mirror. Good thing I only buy washables! The other day, he picked up my eyelash curler and I just had to get some pictures.

Mermaids

We all went to the aquarium yesterday -- they were having mermaid shows. It was so crowded that you could hardly breathe! Just thought I'd share a picture of Ethan with one of the mermaids. He was, of course, more interested in the water than anything else. He's giving the water a taste test in this picture.

COZY!!

Comfy Mary Jane Slippers
Originally uploaded by iloveyarn

I got frustrated with a hat that kept twisting on me, so I put it down and made myself some slippers! I used a silk and wool blend and they are incredibly soft!! I am so loving them!! And in the process of making them, I got to learn a few different techniques. It was my first time with the provisional cast on, attached i-cord, and kitchener stitch. I'd heard horror stories and was dreading that cast on as well as the kitchener stitch, but they weren't bad at all.

And looking at this picture makes me want to go get them and put them on...