Real Life: Live & Unscripted

Silent Sunday

 

Star Crossed Slouchy Beret & Mustard Scarf FO

I have been knitting up a storm! Loving the knitting mojo!!! I have another project on the needles...more on that later lol.

 

Star Crossed Slouchy Beret

This was my first time working with cables and I really enjoyed it. I used Paton Classic Wool and I was really surprised at how great it knit up!!!

Y'all know I LOVE this pic, because it is now my profile pic on every site I'm on lol.

 
Mustard Scarf

This was another quick one. I used more of the Patons Wool. I didn't have a button big enough that I liked so I spray painted one black lol. Heyyyy it worked for me lol. Mine isn't as "lofty" as the one in the link but me likey! LOL

Ok, that is it for me! OH...here is a pic of the back of my hair. I'm loving my hair cut.  My hair now has some "shape" lol

 

The front is just kinda off my face right now, but I'm loving it!

Y'all have a great one!

Toodles!!!!!!

FO: Somewhat Cowl by Wendy Bernard

 

 

Somewhat Cowl by Wendy Bernard

Details

Cast On:

Finished: October 13, 2009

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Silk

Needle Size: 7 & 5

This pattern was just wonderfully written. I didn't have ANY problems with it at all. I didn't work on it exclusively but I really enjoyed it...until I had to pick up and knit the neckline lol.

That's about it lol. Not much to say except I really love it!

Here is an outtake that I like lol. Never know what will happen when a tripod and a timer are involved lol.

 
Can't wait to get my hair cut in two weeks! LOL

Toodles!!!!

Knitting progress....

Hopefully next time you see this it will be finished lol. I'm about 3 inches from binding off...then I have to pick up the sleeves and the collar. Maybe since I have NO sewing mojo, I can finish this lol. I LOVE the fit!!!

Toodles!

Care to guess what I'm doing? LOL

 

 

Yup...started a couple days ago. Will show another progress shot soon. I'm knitting when I NEED to be sewing and finishing up some scrapbook stuff lol.

Toodles!

It's a new day.....

I have been sooooooooooooo stuck on this song... just beautiful.

Greateful by Hezekiah Walker

I'm trying to get back into some type of normal routine. Soooooo here is a little peek of a dress I have been working on...

 

And look what I pulled out last night! LOL

Yep, you are seeing what you THINK you are seeing lol.

Gotta love yarn cakes...but this pattern is ummmm. Hmmmm lol.

What is LRinc? Lifted right increase!?!?

Y'all know I'm a tight knitter so the THOUGHT of a k3tog scares me lol.

It did say if that is too tedious to try a Sl 1, k2tog, psso. That sounds better. We will see lol.

Ok, that's all I have for today. See y'all next time!

Toodles!

Weekend wrapup...Atlanta Edition lol.

SOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much....where in the WORLD do I start!?!?

Friday I headed over to Atlanta...

First stop Gail K Fabrics.

 You know what?!!? I forgot to take a good pic of what I got lol. I'll have to take one and post it this week.

I met Carla and just had fun touching all the fabrics lol.

After I took a QUICK power nap I met with the fabulous Fergie

She picked me up from my brothers place and gave me this lovely bottle of wine...ummmhmmm can't wait to break it open lol

We headed over to The Strip and had a fabulous time!

 

Hey, what was the name of that sauce?!?!?!?! I can't remember lol.

I had such a great time with you!!

Saturday. Talk about system overload!!!!

STITCHES WAS AMAZING!!!
 
I didn't really know what to expect lol. The only thing I DID NOT LIKE was the fact that you couldn't REALLY take pics inside. SO much interesting people and stuff to see!!!

It didn't really become real to me until I parked next to a car that had the tag "K2TOG" LOL I got REALLY excited then! LOL

I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad to FINALLY meet Robin We had a BLAST! She was such a good tour guide lol, and fun to hang out with. I was sooooo giddy and just silly the entire time lol.

Either I am TALL (which I'm not lol) or Robin is SHORT lol which she is lol. She is soooo nice and has soooo much knowledge about all things yarn and knitting. Just amazing!

I got soooooooooo many compliments on my green gable! Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! LOL

Love this pic of her lol

Soooooooooooo what did I get!??

I went with this project in mind....

 

This gorgeous Orange LOVE Bamboo Fibers & Silk. This stuff feels SOOOOOOOOO good. This will be my first project from Custom Knits. It will also be my first time doing cables lol. I CAN DO THIS! LOL

 

I have NEVER purchased a pattern book for ONE PATTERN. But I did this time. I fell in LOVE with this top!! I was even able to try it on! SOOO cute. I hope I can do it justice lol. The yarn is Berroco Palace 50% Merino wool 50% Silk.

 

I KEPT walking past this booth. I LOVED the knitted sample (seeing projects knitted up is a WINNER!!!! LOL) I loved that!

I broke down and got it lol. Here is a link so you can see the top better...

Thalia

The yarn is Silk Noil. This feels soooooooooooo good.

Guess I'm figuring out I love silk and bamboo yarns lol.

This one is for a special project to be talked about MUCH later lol

 

That's it for me!!! I guess that's enough huh!? LOL

Y'all have a good one!

Toodles!

My first knitted FO of the YEAR lol

GREEN GABLE!!!! lol

MY LAWD! How long did it take?!?!? LOL I will not EVER put myself on a knitting deadline EVER again lol. NOT NEVER lol. I love this! I will be wearing it at Stitches this weekend! YAY! Can NOT WAIT!

If ya'll are in the area, come by and say hello! LOL  Robin is gonna be there too so YAYAYAYAYYAY.

As you can see, I didn't do the ribbing on the sleeves because I was SICK of knitting lol.  But that is OKAY. I love it!

Alright guys! More later!

Toodles!

The Weekend is OVER lol

I was *THIS* close to not MOVING my car and I had a slight change of plans lol.

Took the kids to the park Saturday afternoon.

Then went and got these:

We went to see Walking with the Dinosaurs and it was REALLY neat. The kids LOVED it.

Before it started we picked up some JUNK food:

The mess that was left behind lol

A few pics from the show:

 

 

 

 

 

 

and one of the littles ;-)

Sooooooooooo what else is going on???

 

*GASP* Could it be!??!? You'll find out soon lol

 

My Easter outfit...almost finished. WHAT?!? Don't act like y'all didn't get Easter clothes lol. I still do lol.

 

This book is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO full of ideas!! We love our home. It's modest. It's ours. We have projects to do!! YAY! LOL

 

She LOVESSSSSSSSSSSS this cat. That's Chunky lol.

I did a BUNCH of scrapping but since this post is pic heavy enough I'll post them later this week!

Y'all have a good one!

Toodles!

Adrienne, Adrienne what do I see?

Do y'all remember that kids book Brown Bear, Brown Bear?

I have NO idea why that is stuck in my head lol. Now I wanna read it. WHAT?!?!? It's a cute book!! lol

ANYWAY...

I see Green Gable looking at me! LOL
 
This was my car knitting on my trip to New Orleans and now I'm ready to knit for length! Hopefully I can find some good stuff on TV to watch so I can finish it.

I REFUSED to let this damn top get the best of ME! LOL

I hope to finish this soon....don't know HOW soon but hopefully very soon. I just got this in the mail today...

OMG...this is going to be just like Fitted Knits! I love almost everything in here! Big ups to Robin for telling me about this book! LOL

Y'all have a great one! We are about to go to the park. I will knit while the kids play! LOL

Toodles!

I've got that FEVER BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH and TGIF lol

It's Friday!! Let's JAM

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ready to wear my heels and toes out!!! LOL

I went looking for a certain kind of shoe yesterday and saw this:

Not EVEN what I was looking for but, HOW FREAKING HOT IS THIS DAMN SHOE!?!? The store had it in nude. I was *THIS* close to getting it but decided to wait and HOPE that I could find it in black. I LOVE a nude shoe, and I have one or two?? lol  but I would get a TON more wear out of black. These babies will be here SOON! YAY!!

BCBG is normally my favorite shoe designer but I have been really disappointed with their stuff as of late.

While on the subject of shoes....I bought these boots a while back...got a REALLY good deal. My problem? I don't know what to wear them with. Now I think I dress pretty well but these light colored boots have me baffled. How should I wear these!? Should I have them dyed....like chocolate brown. Hmmm they are suede. Anyone have any experience with that? I might run them over to the shoe man today.

.

Ohhh lookie! I made a necklace lol

 

And a close up....kinda lol

 

I am going to wear this with my wrap dress I made the other day. I've been sewing lol. Reviews to come soon lol.

I went to one of my LYS and picked up some yarn for a NEW Green Gable. I will NOT be defeated! LOL

 

Ohhhh isn't it purrrttttyyyyy. I tell you what...the colors online and the colors IRL are VERY different! This stuff is SUPER vibrant online. But it's still pretty lol. I took some pics inside the yarn store but they are on my other camera and it's upstairs so I will have to upload those later lol.

What are you guys doing this weekend?

ME? I plan on sitting behind my machines until I just can't take it anymore lol.

 

My serger is doing something funny. I started a thread on Pattern Review...if you guys have any insight...can you let me know? I've tried everything they suggested on the thread and STILL the same issue. I will be at Singer FIRST thing in the morning.

Y'all have a great weekend!!!

Toodles!

Woooo Hoooo! It's MONDAY!!!!

I LOVE Monday's!!!! I have a list of things I need to get accomplished this week so I will be BUSY.

Let me go ahead and break the news....remember green gable that was knitting up oh so lovely? LOL

Your eyes do not deceive you lol.

I threw it in the trash. WHY?

LAWD! I tried it on once I separated the sleeves and never did look in the mirror. Just kinda looked down, saw it fit and took it off and kept knitting.

WELL I was ALMOST finished with it (was knitting for length) and I decide to try it on again and send a pic to Patrice. LAWD when I saw it on me!??! The lace section was just JACKED UP! It didn't continue all the way over to the right side. When I say I BAWLED!?? I didn't notice it was messed up until I looked at it on me lol.

A picture is worth a THOUSAND WORDS! LOL SERIOUSLY!
I BAWLED!! I felt so bad. I just threw it away.

I do believe the yarn I used has bad juju lol. Remember when I tried to do Rusted Root a while back?? That was the yarn I used! I tried to do a couple other projects that did NOT turn out right lol. IT IS THE YARN!!! LOL

Imma get some more yarn and do it again, and it will NOT be red lol.

MOVING ON..... lol.

Thursday Night I went to Sips N Strokes yet again and had a blast! This time I talked my mom into going lol

 

She was all happy paying for her class lol

I got there early to make sure I could grab seats for all of us and I was surprised when I saw they already had us set up!

 

What does that sign say? LOL

 

Wooo hooo lol that's for us lol.

 

Momma was just painting away lol...with her left handed self lol.

 

One of us together lol

 

Didn't she do a great job for her first time? I think her painting was the best of the group!

And here is a group shot lol

 

We REALLY had fun! My mom enjoyed all the ladies and the ladies enjoyed her. She kept cracking up about something or another lol. I finally got to meet Neecha and  Kisha was there too lol. Maybe now she will update her blog lol.

We aren't painting this month. We have something else planned lol. Wheew chile lol.

Jaelyn was also in a play Thursday night and Tony being the wonderful father he is, went and had a good time lol. Cheryl also sent me a couple pics since I wasn't there! YAY! LOL

Friday night I went to a book signing at Books A Million where the one and only E. Lynn Harris was there signing his new book!

 

He is REALLY silly lol.  I have hat hair so ya gotta excuse that lol.

 

And he was REALLY nice. He seemed sincere. It was fun meeting him!

While I waited in line, the kids played in the kids area and picked out some new books.

 

 

 

Jaelyn actually started on her book while we were there and finished it on Saturday. I guess it was REALLY good lol.

Saturday my mom and I took the girls shopping.  *sigh*

 

 

I HATE CLAI.RE'S. SERIOUSLY.

But the girls loved it and I guess that is all that matters lol.

We also went to Fore.ve.r 21 and a few other stores and they really had a good time.

Mom and I went to Hancock too. I actually purchased some spring fabric! It was strange buying fabric but I can get used to it again lol.

Sunday was our Anniversary/Superbowl party lol. We had a house full and SO MUCH FUN! LOL

 

Verdi is soooo good to me lol. And that was NOT all of it lol.

 

Gotta love the budlight. Too bad I don't drink beer. And we had regular BL, but there wasn't enough room for everything in my fridge lol, and my fridge is kinda on the large size I think lol.

Yep that is Kool-aid for the kids. It's not gonna kill 'em lol.

 

Tony was handling that grill! LOL

Y'all see that apron? He made that in the 10th grade lol. He STILL wears it when he cooks lol.

 

He kilt it lol. I did the inside cooking stuff, he did the outside lol.

And since it was our anniversary I made him a red velvet cake. I make it for him every year lol.

It's gone lol.

Along with all the food and drink lol.

Successful party! LOL

Alright, this got REALLY long...LOL

Hope y'all have a SUPERB Monday!

Toodles!!!!

How was your weekend?!?

Mine was pretty laid back and just relaxing!

I LOVE IT!

I have so much going on the next couple of months, I am going to ENJOY weekends where I do not MOVE....

Well, where I don't move much lol.

My parents went to the Eagles concert Saturday night and I took a pic (since I had to take them to the concert lol)

Don't they look cute?!?!?! Awwwwwwwww
Umm notice that jacket? She has good taste lol.

My mom is ALWAYS buying something. Look at this ancient Chinese desk/table she got...

This is how it looks closed...looks like a table right? Check THIS OUT...

How freaking cool is that? I REALLY do like it.

When I grow up I wanna be just like my momma lol.

I really have THE best parents EVER. I love them so much.
*mushy moment over* lol

I got a good deal of sewing done! I will keep this post updated as I cross things off my list... woo hooo!!

I also got some GOOD knitting time in.

GG is looking goodddddddddddddd lol

 

Won't be long now!!! YAY ME! LOL I AM going to finish! LOL

Ok, that is it. I am REALLY rambling today.

Toodles!

GG ;-) Green "Red" Gable Progress

I TOLD y'all I was going to knit!!!! LOL! I am going to finish it too. This was taken on Dec 7 so I've made more progress now and I will show another progress shot soon.

For those of you that don't remember, I made this once before back in May of  2007 and while I LOVED it...it was kinda short. I think I got tired of knitting lol. So this time I will make it the CORRECT length lol.

Speaking of knitting how many of you are going to Stitches South!?!? I WILL BE THERE!! WOO HOO! Robin wants to plan a gathering of blogger/rav people so let me know!!

Ok, that is ALLLLL I have for you today!

Toodles!

Knitting....A Year In Review

LOL.....this one will be short. I started a couple things this year and frogged them.

Around NOVEMBER I wanted to make a neckwarmer.....I started it but ummmm.... I literally had to FIND it to take this pic last night lol.

It is NOT finished. Almost but just not finished.  I lost interest. I will finish it...gotta find the pattern first  and try to figure out which row I was on lol.

My knitting goals for 2009 are really pretty simple.

KNIT!

Yep, that is all I want to do lol. Just knit lol. To be a little more specific there are a couple things I really want to accomplish in the new year. I want to spell it out...mainly so I can go reference it lol.

• I REALLY want to learn to knit socks. Even if I just knit ONE pair. I REALLY want to try. It will be challenging and I LOVE a challenge. My mom and grandma would also LOVE a pair so yep. I WILL learn to knit socks.
• I REALLY want to use Ravelry more. It is such a great site that I KNOW I don't use enough. I started a group for the local knitters here and I want to be more active with it.
• I want to make my mom a set of washcloths. She LOVES the ONE I made her when I first started knitting lol.
• I want to knit Tony, and the kids a hat and scarf. 
• I want to pick a yarn NOW and start a top out of Custom Knits. LOVE THIS BOOK!
• I want to go to a knit night...just to see if I will like it. So I want to go atleast one time. I went to knit with the ladies at my local library and while it was fun and they are all very sweet....umm not my cup of tea lol. So I will try a knit night.
• I want to knit a button down cardigan/sweater and FINISH IT! LOL

I guess that is all lol. It doesn't seem like a lot but it really is. I strive to be the best at all my hobbies and my knitting has been slacking and that really isn't acceptable lol.

So there you have it! This time next year I will have MORE than an UFO picture to show you guys!LOL

Have a great day!!
Toodles!

Could it be....actual knitting content?

Some yummy yarn I picked up in North Carolina.... that is turning into this...

The linen stitch scarflet from Bella Knitting. I am knitting it with Dee so maybe I will finish it? LOL

That other scarf I started has bored me and it's sitting on my table lol. Maybe later or I might just rip it and do something else lol.

Hope you all are having a great day! I'm about to crawl into my favorite spot on the sofa....listen to the rain and KNIT!

Toodles!

Adrienne...is that YARN I see?!!??! And I have an elected official in my house...

There is a newly elected official in my house....say hello to the NEW Secretary/Treasurer  of the student body at her school!

It was a landslide!! We are so proud of her!!!  YAY JAELYN!!!!

Ahhhh why yes it is! Guess who is knitting?!?!

Don't look too hard or you will see where I messed up....go easy on me. I haven't picked up my needles since FEBRUARY lol.

I have the pattern memorized now, and I don't even know where it is...so I can't even tell you what the name of it is but it is a scarf lol. I think Tony threw it away lol.

I hope to show you a FO soon! LOL

Have a great day guys!!

Toodles!

TGIF!!! WOOO HOOO!!!

This week has gone by SO fast!!!

Thank you ALL for your prayers for my cousin. She is doing very well and the other driver and the children are fine as well. Those kids were all under the age of three and were NOT in car seats. NO WORDS!

I have to say, my cousin and I aren't very close. We never have been but family is family. We bumped heads in a big way last summer and things are JUST now right between us. Meaning we can speak and ask how the other is doing and really mean it lol. I saw her at the wedding Saturday and we spoke, had a nice little conversation and we talked again at church on Sunday. Family is still family.

Y'all ready to throw it back??

Mannnnn, I was jammin last night lol..Come on ride that train lol

I gotta tell y'all. I was actually scared to drive the other day. I kept feeling like it was going to be my time next. I can't tell y'all the number of times, I've had a blow out or a flat tire. Heck, last year I was hit by an 18 wheeler!!! I was really scared. Then I remembered that I should not  have the spirit of fear and perfect love casts out fear.  I prayed...then I got in my car and drove off.

I was the QUEEN of texting and driving. NO MORE. If you get a message from me you best believe I am at a red light or a stop sign or something lol. NOT driving lol.

I have been spending a GOOD bit of time on Ravelry....I think I might have ONE FO for 2008!! I have  couple things picked out that I want to do. I WAS going to do a sweater from fitted knits...but ummm. I need to start with a hat or a scarf lol. You know...get my mojo flowing.

I have done some sewing! I am on a shirt kick right now...I have NO short sleeve tops. Seriously. All of my stuff is sleeveless lol. So my next few items will be shirts....and dresses of course. I love dresses.

Since I'm now rambling...how about a pattern review:

Butterick 5247

Pattern Description: Semi-fitted, pullover tunics A, C or above mid-knee dresses B, D have cowl-like collar, short or long dolman sleeves and belt. Purchased top, pants and belt.

Pattern Sizing: 8-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't even use them.....VERY rare for me :-)

What did you particularly like  or dislike about the pattern? Loved the entire pattern!

Fabric Used: Knit from Hancock.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I shortened the tunic  by four inches. I didn't like where it hit me...it cut my legs in half :-)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I plan on making the dress version, and possibly another top. This is soooo easy to wear and it's ONLY three pieces.

Conclusion: I REALLY love this top!!!!!!

Alright that is IT guys! Have a great weekend!! Stay safe!!!

Toodles!

Didn't I tell you this was going to be a fantastic week!?!!?!

I mean come on!  I made some contacts yesterday that will mean fantastic things for my photography business. I could not be more thrilled. I had to call my two goodest - goodest girlfriends and let them know...we all squealed with delight!!! LOL When everything is final you KNOW I'll let you guys know!!

A friend of mine ( and I do NOT use the term friend loosely) asked me to meet her at Hancock yesterday. I had to go to whole foods anyway so I went on over.  She gave me a BOX of the new patterns I wanted and a gift card to Hancock!!!. We had just casually talked about the new patterns and what we liked. Had no clue she planned on getting them for me. How freaking nice was that?!?! I was totally blown away. I just thought she wanted to look at fabric together lol.

I tell you the kindness of people never ceases to amaze me. I've met some wonderful, wonderful people online and IRL and it's just awesome.

My girl Lu

is speaking at the BlogHer Conference. I'm so glad she had this opportunity!!!! Go girl go!!!

Blogging is a WONDERFUL thing!!!

In other news: I'm having a complete love affair with blueberries.

I swear I'm going to plant a blueberry bush for next year. I  love these things.

Umm what else...OH, some of you requested the journaling from my LO yesterday, this one in case you don't remember:

Reads:
I MUST ADMIT  THAT I HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY WITH MYSELF. I HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN AT PEACE WITH WHO I AM. I HAVE NOT ALWAYS LOVED ME. I USED TO PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE THAT I WASN'T. THAT WAS WAY TOO MUCH WORK. IT TOOK A NUMBER OF YEARS  TO BUILD UP MY SELF ESTEEM  SO THAT I LOVED MYSELF AND BELIEVED IN ME. NOW I AM 30 YEARS OLD, HAPPY  WITH THE PERSON I HAVE BECOME, I LOVE MYSELF AND I WON'T CHANGE WHO I AM FOR ANYONE IN THE WORLD.

I also need to add that I KNOW I'm not finished learning, living or growing, so I am a work in progress lol.

Yesterday was a BAD knitting mojo kinda day. Even Robin had bad knitting mojo so it was in the air lol. Robin is my knitting "She-ro" lol.

What did you guys think of Project Runway?!?! It's going to be a good one! I still need to watch it again lol.

Ok, that's it...I'm knee deep in going through my fabrics and putting patterns with them. Yep....some sewing will start soon!!!

Toodles!

 

Stuff...and another pattern review (again) lol

Hellloooooooooooooooooooo lol.

Today my mom and I (along with the girls) went up to Nashville to my FAVORITE fabric store, Textile Fabrics.

They had their annual 1/2 off sale. OMG....We got SO much good stuff. I'll show all of that later on but I am SO...SO...SO...SO...SO ready for fall sewing. You have NO idea lol. I got my new BWOF today and I haven't even opened it.Not even wanting to LOOK at summer stuff lol.

Look at my girls...they were SO sleepy lol

They kept their hair tied up so it wouldn't mess up...no field trip is complete without a blanket lol.
I didn't take any pics of fabric or video or any of that stuff this time. I was on a MISSION lol.  I did get pics of the girls in the crown lol

Do y'all notice the colors that Kayla is wearing?!?! I'm just saying lol....

Yes, Jaelyn loved the crown lol.

I also picked up the latest edition of Threads. I REALLY like this magazine.

I was able to get some knitting done on the way up....

When I make a little more progress I'll show you guys what it is SUPPOSED to be lol.

Pattern Review Vogue 8472

Pattern Description:
Lined dress has front princess seams, gathered front, back darts, gathered A-line skirt, back zipper and contrast midriff, bodice side and bodice back. Length is mid-knee.
Pattern Sizing:
8-16

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes

What did you particularly like  or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the pattern ok. I didn't like the panel in the front once I finished the dress. I just think I picked the wrong fabric for it. It was too stiff.

Fabric Used:
Pique

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
None.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I don't think I will sew it again. The pattern was easy enough, I just think my fabric choice was wrong. Maybe it will grow on me...Right now it's just kinda blah.

Ok that's it for me today!

Toodles!

Ramblings, health issues and a prayer request...

Did you guys have a good weekend? We did. It was totally LOW KEY. I didn't move my car until it was time to go to church on Sunday lol.

I think it should be a law that you should NOT be allowed to chew/pop/smack gum in public places. I had to go to the courthouse yesterday and I SWEAR I was about ready to go off on this lady that was two people down from me. OMG. I about went batty listening to her pop her freaking gum. OMG. I don't even want to chew gum anymore after hearing her and I do NOT pop my gum. You hardly even know I have it in my mouth. OMG. About drove me INSANE!

*sigh* onto the health issues.

I have continued to go to the doctor every couple of weeks to have blood work done. I've had a couple of scares, but it has all turned out well in the end. Well yesterday, I had a super big scare. My levels haven't looked like this since I was first diagnosed with cervical cancer.  I have to go back today for some additional testing so PLEASE keep me in your prayers. If by ANY chance the cancer ever decides to come back, I will have a hysterectomy done. I did want to try the other treatment first, and I'm glad I did....but I'm hoping that this too will pass. I'll keep you guys updated.

Prayer Request: A couple of my good-est (Aj says this ALL the time lol) friends already know that  mom is having surgery tomorrow, please keep her in your prayers....she is a pretty good patient... my dad however will drive me insane when she comes home...pray for MY sanity lol.

Knitting: This Habu is getting on my damn nerves lol. I am currently looking for a cute tank pattern using rowan cotton rope. I need some mindless knitting right now. LOL

Sewing: NO mojo. AT ALL. I did some sewing a week or so ago. I made a dress, two tops and a skirt from my list. I have not taken pics in my things yet but I did get a picture of Jaelyn in the dress I made for her, so I'll probably try and post that tomorrow.

Photography: Busy as hell. It's now  wedding time. I have SIX weddings over the next seven weeks.  SIX. Fun times, but OH so busy lol.

Scrapping: TOTALLY in my groove. I feel like I'm a few weeks behind showing stuff lol. I did the following LO's a couple weeks ago I think. I've done a lot more...I've been working on some mini albums for a couple of dear friends of mine. I'll show some sneaks of those soon. I've also added some pages to my kids summer mini album. I need to show those as well lol.

I Miss My Dad:

Products Used:

PP: BG

Foof a la letters

Prima flowers

MM Journaling page and staples

7 gypsies Gaffer tape

BG letters

DMC Floss (which I am totally addicted to)

Pearl Brads Unknown

The photo is mounted with the 7 gypsies tape and grommets. It lifts to reveal the journaling:

Time Together:

My scanner obviously didn't like the embellishments on this one so here is a photo:

Products Used:

Basic Grey PP (Yes, I'm addicted to it lol only Virginia has seen my stash..shhh lol)

Clocks Umm, I think they are paperhouse studios?

AC Felt Thickers

Button up buttons

MM Felt and Epoxy buttons (RAK from Dana...did I ever show you guys that photo??)

7 Gypsies Gaffer tape

MM Noteworthy Journaling Page.

That's it for today!

Have a great one!

Toodles!!

 

Woo hooo....it's the weekend!

Let's THROW IT BACK!!!!!

I was talking with a good friend yesterday and we started talking about this song lol. I could NOT get it out of my head lol.

Have you guys had a good week!? I have. Looking forward to the weekend though! LOL

For all the  knitters lookieeeeeeeeeeeeee:

and a close up...love my point and shoot lol

See, I HAVE been knitting. I have more progress than this. I think I took this ummmm a couple days ago. Stacey said we were knitting with dental floss...she was right lol. I am still going to have to start over ONE more time...my tension is really off when I purl......

Here is the recipe for the vanilla icecream. I got this from my grandma who said this was the way her mom made it.

3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour
6 1/4 cups milk
5 cups whipping cream

Combine sugar, flour and salt in saucepan. gradually Stir in milk. Cook over medium heat approximately 15 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly.

Gradually stir about 1 cup of hot mixture into the beaten  eggs. Add egg mixture to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute; remove from heat.

Refrigerate 2 hours. Combine whipping cream and vanilla in a large bowl. Add chilled mixture, stirring with wire wisk to combine.

Thats when the recipe says to turn the crank until frozen lol....well I plugged my icecream maker up lol.

I also made a couple of apple pies:

YUM. I made one for home and two for a friend who would seriously forget she knows me if I don't make her two pies when I make one, so she ALWAYS gets one lol.  I used the recipe of some great, great great aunt or something lol. It  has been passed down forever and I will give it to my girls when it's time.

While on the subject of cooking, I cooked THE BEST shrimp and grits last night. OMG

and a close up...

OMG...even looking at it now is making me hungry again. Talk about good. I had a serious case of the "itis"  Had to take the kids out to play at the park once we got up lol. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth (I don't like can chicken broth. I made chicken salad and used the broth from the chicken)
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup regular grits 
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 3 slices bacon
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup sliced mushroom (I don't like mushrooms like that, so I left them out)
• 1/2 cup sliced green onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup fat-free low-sodium chicken broth (again, used my own chicken broth)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• lemon wedge

Directions

1. Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually whisk in grits; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until thickened; add cheddar cheese and next 4 ingredients; set aside but keep warm.
2. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings in skillet; crumble bacon and set aside.
3. Sprinkle shrimp with pepper and salt; dredge in flour.
4. Saute mushrooms in hot drippings in skillet 5 minutes, or until tender; add green onions and saute 2 minutes; add shrimp and garlic and saute 2 minutes or until shrimp are lightly brown; stir in chicken broth, lemon juice and hot sauce and cook 2 more minutes, stirring to loosen browned bits from skillet.
5. Divide grits into 4 large, shallow soup bowls; divide shrimp mixture into four servings and place on top of grits; top each serving with crumbled bacon and serve with lemon wedges.

There you have it. I will probably grill some salmon and veggies this weekend lol. As of right now, I don't feel like cooking lol. Hmm we shall see lol.

I am SO devouring Twilight!!!! WHY did I wait so long to read this book!?!?!?!?? I don't know what to make of Edward yet. I'm on chapter 7. I wish I could just sit down and read it all day!!!!! I plan on finishing it before Monday so we will see lol.

OH!!! I haven't talked much about me running, trying to get ready for my 5k but I will do my first one in August!!! I can't wait! I'm up to almost 2 miles a day now and I no longer feel like I am going to DIE when I finish lol.

Y'all have a great weekend!!!
Toodles!!

SP 12 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love BSCF (Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece)  but I don't think I've knit with enough different yarn to develop an absolute favorite yet.

I DO not like acrylic yarn.  I HATE mohair.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a zipper case for my knit picks options and the case that my denise needles came in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for a little over a year, and I still consider myself a beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Amazon

5. What's your favorite scent?

Clean fresh scents. Some fruity...ANYTHING but coconut.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

HUGE sweet tooth... I hate coconut. Everything else is fair game lol.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Sew and scrapbook. No I don't spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I really enjoy all types of music, and yes.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

ORANGE is my MOST favorite color. I pretty much like anything!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married with three kids and one cat!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves and hats. No mittens or ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

EASY ITEMS! LOL. Scarves, hats and simple tops. I do like sweaters but haven't done one for this year yet.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I am ABOUT to start on the Kusha Kusha scarf.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, I love them.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circular, aluminum and plastic.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes, I own both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I don't have one.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

FABRIC! LOL

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Books:

Power Sewing by Sandra Betzina

Yarn:

Handmaiden Sea Silk

Habu Cashmere Yarn A-34 :-)

I subscribe to IK.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I would like to learn to read lace charts and knit socks lol

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

No but I want to learn to knit socks. Size 10.

23. When is your birthday?

November 2

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

3kids1036

What a weekend!

Did you guys have a good holiday weekend!??! I sure did! This post will be picture  and long lol...just a warning lol.

Saturday the kids and I got up early for a trip to Atlanta. Now this is a FIRST for me. I have NEVER traveled more than an hour without Tony (he had to work, so we left him behind lol). Now Atlanta isn't far at all but still...I just DO NOT like to go too far without my man lol.

ANYWAY....I'd planned this trip a while back..why?? So I could meet with Stacey. YAY lol.

Let me tell y'all how lost we got trying to find this store lol. Ok...so maybe I won't but we both got lost trying to find it. It's RIGHT off the highway BUT map quest and I are NOT good friends right now....umm hmmm. 

We decided to meet up at the Fabric store

GAIL K FABRICS first since it opened before anything else...LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS STORE. OMG. It is INSANE...DO NOT GO without a pattern in hand and some fabric in mind. It is COMPLETELY overwhelming. SERIOUSLY

Here is a picture I took. I just held my camera up in the air and snapped lol

.

We had SUCH a great time in the store and my kids instantly took to her! LOL. Stacey was in button heaven and my kids stayed with her (taking pictures of I swear every button in the store...seriously.) and I looked around. TOTALLY OVERWHELMED. I only got two pieces but the ones I got are FAB.

Check out this black and white piece:

Can we all say OMG, that is TDF? LOL.  Mr. Lee showed me a pic in a magazine (can't remember which one) where they used this fabric to make a dress:

How fabulous is this?!!? It was funny because when I saw the fabric I thought about Tany...when I saw the picture in the magazine I wish I could have picked up the phone and called her lol, instead I did the next best thing lol, sent her an email lol. For this piece I am going to try my hand at drafting my own pattern lol. I was thinking one thing but it's not going to work because of the hem, so off to something else. This should be interesting lol. I can see it in my head....lol

I also got this piece of silk chiffon. LOVE IT!

Stacey got button happy in there and will have a button plan next time she goes back lol. I have NEVER seen so many buttons in ALL MY LIFE.

Once we left there we got in my car (so we could get lost together lol) and headed over to the most fabulous and friendly knit shop EVER.... THE KNITCH

Aj even got to help with a customers yarn lol

Stacey even let him use her camera to take come pics lol. My kids love cameras lol..hmm wonder why.

OMG, this shop is FAB! And the staff!?!?!? SUPER FRIENDLY! I have a girl crush on the owner Kim! LOL She was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO super nice. SERIOUSLY. I had a million and 12 questions and she answered everyone of them.

What did I walk away with?

I liked this pic too lol

Nora, I totally thought about you when I walked into the room of Habu...

I am going to try my hand at the Kusha Kusha Scarf

After that we literally walked across the parking lot to this fabulous restaurant

which is the oldest restaurant in Atlanta! It's been there since 1922 and I know why...the food was THE BOMB!

While we were waiting on our food we had to call Patrice lol.

We put her on speaker and proceeded to have a good ole time....we missed you girl...next time..next time lol

Kayla had to call her daddy because she really missed him lol:

I try shrimp and grits EVERY WHERE I go now, so I had to have it from there... just a couple pics:

Before:

AFTER:

That should say it all lol.

The kids ate well lol:

After we finished eating we hit up Why Knot Knit

Jaelyn too all the pics of Stacey and I lol...good job pumpkin. This is a great shop too! So much yummy yarn lol.

We spent all day together...we ended a Wendy's where Stacey bought us ice-cream lol and we  both got our internet fix because they had wifi tee hee, and I travel NO WHERE without my laptop lol. We had a great, great time! 

We kept touching each other saying..you are real lol...it was so funny.

Sunday my SIL and I  took the kids skating and Aj learned to skate...PURE COMEDY!! But what was even funnier was when he had to go to the bathroom...he was still in his skates and I was still in mine but he REALLY had to go so we didn't have time to take them off....baby, when I tell you...he lost his balance...I almost lost his all while helping him pee. Six year old pee went EVERYWHERE but we did not get wet lol. It was HILARIOUS lol.

I love this picture of my nephew:

And JAELYN took it! She is really getting good with the camera!

I managed to get this one of Jaelyn helping Aj lol

and this one...

pretty soon he was skating on his own...he was SO proud!

Then I came back home Sunday! LOL Did a couple of cookouts Monday and now I'm pooped! LOL

See you guys soon!
Toodles!

A knitting FO and fabric/pattern help!

Happy Saturday guys!!!

Remember WAY BACK WHEN I first posted about do a knitting project? I made SOME PROGRESS, then I made a little bit more progress then all of a sudden I STOPPED KNITTING! I think it was at that point that my sewing mojo went into overdrive. WELL, I picked up the shift the other day and finished it.

Now, you will NEVER, EVER see this on me. FIRST of all, I don't know WHAT made me think all this chunky yarn would look good on me. Ummm NO! It makes me look HUGE. Secondly, the length is all wrong. It was knit from the bottom up and I didn't really try it on at all until I was finished. This tunic is too long for me and it cuts my legs in half and makes me look stumpy. Nooo sir. Not a good look lol, so my cat just got something new and warm to sleep on. She is going to love it come winter.

I am looking for a nice summer top to knit. Any suggestions? LOL

Remember this fabric?

I got it a while back from fabric.com I THINK. I can't remember. I need some suggestions on what to make from this. I have three or four yards. I can't remember lol. I was thinking wrap dress with contrasting bands, but I don't know. Any suggestions and pattern numbers would be GREATLY appreciated.LOL :-)

Ok, that is all I have for today!! Hope you guys enjoy your weekend!!

Toodles!

Don't you hate it and love it when...... (revisited)

Don't you hate it when:

• PEOPLE LIE!?!  I mean, why LIE? People know you are not being honest. Just TELL THE TRUTH. It's SO not a good look.
• You have a craving for something for THREE days, then go to the store and forget to pick it up? I have been craving blueberries for DAYS now. Forgot to get them. *sigh*
• You loose something, and can't find it to save your life? Go buy another one and as SOON as you get back home it's looking you dead in the face? Yep...that would be me.
• You have you mouth SET for something, in this case, FIJI Water, and you stroll to the fridge after midnight and it is NOT there!? Hmmmm, who can I kick in the throat for drinking my water? I drink two or three of the 1.5 liters a day. humph
• You watch a movie and it does NOT end the way you want?! I watched Michael Clayton yesterday and while it was good. It did NOT end the way "I" thought it should.

 

But on the OTHER HAND....

Don't you LOVE it when:

• You get caught up on all your email!? LOL
• You can cuddle up with hubby and watch a movie that IS good AND it ends right...
• You come home and the laundry has been done by the laundry fairy....aka the hubby.
• You get in the car and realize it has been detailed and you didn't ask to have it done. (I PROMISE to keep it clean this time lol)
• Your cell phone and bluetooth battery last LONGER than your conversation! LOL (I kept forgetting to charge them lol)
• When you find a good, good deal on 1000 count sheets and hubby gives you his CC and tells you to get two sets  (like you don't already know the number..tee hee)
• You make good progress on your current knitting project.

I hope you guys have a fantastic day!!!
Toodles!

No Title Tuesday.....

Hello all! Did yesterday just DRAAAAAAAAG by or what?!?!  I hope today goes by a little quicker. I am really ready for LOST on Thursday! LOL

Here is some progress on my summer shift:

Notice that it is sitting on top of my nice black Books A Million Bag? And not in a bag that could possibly be trash?? Yep...that is what you call LESSON LEARNED! LOL I knit through a movie yesterday, I Could Never Be Your Woman. While it is SOOOO corny and just stupid, it was really funny. I mean I laughed the whole time, and was still able knit. I am however very silly so.....lol. This pic was taken at 4 yesterday afternoon. I have about twice that done now lol. QUICK KNIT!

Did I tell you guys about this?

Yeah, I can't wait. Wonder what I will wear?! lol

I did some scrappy shopping a week or so ago. I pulled these goodies out and still no mojo lol

Cheryl, I only purchased ONE of the MM notebooks lol

I've never purchased an entire line of anything, but I LOVE this MM paper!!

Are you guys going to see The Other Boleyn Girl?? I'm going out with a good friend of mine Friday night and can't wait to see it. Can you say girl's night out? LOL Hubby will be home with the kiddos! NICE! LOL

Oh, did I work on the Vogue jacket you ask? NOPE! LOL I plan on trying again today lol. But I said that yesterday huh? I have to finish. Jaelyn has a dress she wants me to make for her lol, and I have a ton of new fabrics on the way also so I need to get it OFF MY DRESS FORM! LOL

I guess that is all. I think I have rambled enough lol.

Hope you guys have a great day!
Toodles!

It's Monday....again lol

Did you guys have a good weekend?? I sure did. I love lazy days with my family. We always have a good time together. I'm glad my kids still want to play with me and I pray as they get older we will always remain close. Ok enough mushy stuff.

Are you guys watching A Raisin in the Sun tonight!? I can't wait to see it.

Did you guys know that Michael's now has ONLINE COUPONS?!?! Grab it and print! I'll find SOMETHING to buy lol.

I worked on my Vogue Trench Jacket and boy oh boy. Setting the sleeves has been a PITA. To some people, these skills come easily lol, I am not one of them lol. I've done set in sleeves before but this is NOT working for me. A good friend of mine sent me some tips, so I will try that today. If I STILL can't get it to work, I'm going to get my mom to help me. First jacket, sooooo. We will see. Hopefully it doesn't end up in the trash lol. If I don't post it as finished by the end of the week....you can bet I've said bye-bye to my pretty yellow jacket lol. It is only fabric. I am not going to stress.

I cast on for my next knitting project, so I will take a progress shot of it today. So far so good.

Sunday Aj had his championship party. These little boys are SO cute lol.

Here are a few pics:

I love their shirts:

Too cute! LOL

And one of me and the girls. Stacey....there is Jaelyn! LOL

Jaelyn LOVES bags/purses. LAWD.

My mom got a new puppy...Meet Max

I thought of Tany and Nora when I saw him. They love these dogs! He is SUCH a playful puppy. Awwww.

And Emmy. Mom' s other dog...looking to Kayla for some love....she does NOT like Max. AT ALL.

That's about it. LOL.

If you didn't know, Gorgeous Things is having a great sale. I ordered a bunch of fabrics. Just GORGEOUS lol.

I am in a scrapping funk. Seriously. Send some scrappy mojo my way.

OH! Have you guys heard about Pink Pasilee ??? OMG! It's like the my.spac.e for scrappers!!! If you want an invite let me know and I'll send you one! I am going to play for a little while over there today. Add some pictures and what not! LOL

Another OH lol, my girl Greta has a challenge blog Scrap Your Crap. Got a lotta unused supplies!?!?? Go check them out...I'll meet you there...that might get me out of my funk.

Ok, that really is it. LOL, have a great day guys!
Toodles!

Happy "Love" Day!

Look at what I saw as I took the kids to school yesterday morning:

Yeah, a few flurries...mind you it was 74 the day before lol...ONLY in Alabama lol.

LOL Do you guys have any big plans for today?!?!

We will celebrate at home. We learned LONG ago that we do NOT like to go out on holidays. Not Mother's Day or Father's Day, Grandparents day...NOTHING. Everything is SO crowded. NOT fun when you have the kids in tow either. Soooooooooo we will have a very nice dinner at home. I plan on making Chicken breasts stuffed with fontina cheese, tomato and basil, veggies on the side. I've made this a couple times before and it's a huge hit. Tony and I have our wine....the kids have sparkling grape juice....should be a good time. LOL I will also do our traditional Red Velvet Cake (remember I only do it TWICE a year lol)...heart shaped of course. It will last two days lol.

You know pictures will follow lol.

Let me introduce you to my new favorite thing!!!!

My micro 1gig memory card for my phone. OMG. Now, the ONLY reason I even decided to go ahead and get this is because I have started downloading some audio books that are NOT supported by Mac or Mac products (IPOD), how insane is that...so since my phone is a Windows device I can use this...BABY, let me tell you I can do so much more with this than I thought!! But more on that later! lol

Yesterday I went on a field trip with Aj about an hour from home...kids are SO funny lol. Here are a couple of my fav pics.. I can't post too many because of the other kids in them... :-(

Don't you just love that lime green?!!? LOL

He loved this! LOL...he kept saying look at all the "me's" lol.

This place has all kinds of old stuff in it for the kids to play with, touch and all that stuff....well when I saw this I could ONLY think of Carla lol

She LOVES a vintage machine...is THAT vintage enough for you? LOL

After the kids got back on the bus *tee hee*, I went to this nice little yarn shop...

What did I get?

Some yummy Malabrigo for a nice little project that I am doing with Stacey on March 1st lol. Yep...I'm getting ready! LOL More on that later lol

A peek inside the store?

That yummy stuff is called Koigu....*sigh* so nice lol

That's for you girl lol

I promise, I have never wanted Noro as much as I did yesterday. I want a noro scarf just like the one in the picture but in a different colorway lol. I thought I was going to get away from the Noro bug....I guess not lol.

Ok, that's enough for today lol.

Toodles!

NEW.....NEW....NEW....

Today is new stuff! Woo hooo! LOL

There is a NEW PODCAST...you can click here to listen or the button on the sidebar...

This week I talked with LaShell from Starting from Scratch. Thanks for taking time out to talk with me!! I really enjoyed talking with you!!

I hope you guys enjoy it! Thanks to everyone who left a comment on Itunes!! They really made me smile!!!

This weeks Blog Spotlight...
LAURA of Laura's Sewing Room.
OMG. Talk about TALENT!!!!

More newness?? For all my Jaelyn fans..(I do have three kids lol)*ahem* Stacey ....LOL I got her to pose for a picture, but ONLY because she now has glasses lol. She has had them for about three weeks lol

It's blurry but I still like it lol...

Need more newness?? Ok..how about my next sewing project?

Vogue 8480

I so love this jacket. I wanted this to fit in with my SWAP but I think this  just may have to stand alone. I hope to make my muslin this weekend. I know what buttons I want, but I want to get them at the next sale.

How about MORE newness? LOL

Can you say KNITTING!?!?!? LOL *GASP* Yes, I'm going to KNIT lol

The summer shift from Speed Knitting.

Remember all that time I spent on Ravelry the other day??? Yeah, this reminds me of my ballet-tee I made last summer...but longer! I love it! I will start it right after I get gauge! LOL

Ok, that is enough for today!!! LOL

Toodles!!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve! And some other stuff...

Hey Y'all!!  LONG post, so let's get started!! :-)

I finished my treatments on Friday! YAY. I was sick as a damn dog this week. I have not been on the computer too much, and sleeping a WHOLE lot!!! I feel really good today (Sunday afternoon) and I am making the most of it!! I am not "technically" out of the woods yet, but things really look good. I go back for another biopsy on either the 31st or the 1st. I can't remember. Then we wait. Thank you all for all your support, prayers, kind words, gifts, phone calls, emails, e-cards...EVERYTHING. It has meant a great deal to me. I am finally about to start catching up on emails, so I will get to those today.

Check out a new flickr group called PIECES OF ME started by none other than PHOTODEE. I can't wait to start on this!!! I think this will be fun.

CAN ANYONE WITH A KODAK EASY SHARE SV811 PHOTO FRAME PLEASE EMAIL ME!??!!?

MY BIG HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
I am now a Design Team Member for: Noel Mignon she has aaaaaaaaaaawwwwweeeeeesome kit's that you can see HERE . I am SO excited and can not WAIT to get started!!! My mojo is super flowing right now!! A clean "area" will do that to you EVERY time! I can't WAIT to show y'all how organized everything is. May not be much to you, but I sure love it!!!!

I made the CUTEST little "gift" for my mom. Here is a little peek.

I will post more pics once she has seen it. Y'all already know she reads over here lol.

I finished my Mini Cardi from Fitted Knits. It seriously took like 8 hours total to finish. I had a LOT of bed time, so when I wasn't sleeping I knit! I will comb my hair and take a pic soon. Right now, that just ain't gone happen lol. But it's really cute and I just love it! I needed a quick knit!

My sewing machine STILL isn't back yet. Hopefully it will be back soon. UGH.

Christmas Dinner Menu:

Roasted Turkey
Glazed Spiral Cut Ham
Cornbread Dressing
Turnip Greens
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Candied Yams
VERY small dish of Sweet Potato Cassarole (I really want some, so I'm making some for me lol no one else likes it)
Potato Salad

For Dessert??
Red Velvet Cake
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Martha Stewart Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet Potato Pie

Don't forget I didn't cook for Thanksgiving lol....Yeah we are all going to eat VERY well! LOL.

Here is a pic of the Cream Cheese Pound Cake. MAN, this thing is SO moist. Let's thank Kayla for a great job putting the powder sugar on top lol:

Here are some of the cookies. I still need to make the Martha Stewart Cookies:

The kids FINALLY did their ginger bread house. Tony bought them a kit...I cheated lol. NO baking ginger bread for me! LOL

They put more candy in their mouth, than they did on the house lol. Stacey, I finally got Jaelyn to take a pic lol. See, I really DO have three kids lol.

I "THINK" that is all!!!

I wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Before I go, I will leave you with this picture.....

I took my picture so my mom could see it, and umm, now it is hanging on "HER" wall lol. You can expect to see a LOT more of these in 2008! LOL It is SO addictive!!!! LOL

Toodles!

*SILENT NIGHT - TEMPTATIONS*

RESOLUTIONS, DO YOU MAKE THEM?

DEFINED BY WIKIPEDIA:

A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved, although many resolutions go unachieved and are often broken fairly shortly after they are set.

I started THIS THREAD over on Ravelry and it made me think about the normal list of things I like to make called RESOLUTIONS. I normally don't make RESOLUTIONS per se, but I like to make lifestyle changes.

Last year I didn't make any type of resolutions. I just stated that I needed to make some changes. And baaaaaaaaaaaaaaabyyyyyyyy, I did JUST that. I cut loose some folks that were not good for me, changed my eating habits (I've just about cut out fast food, but do still eat it, but VERY seldom, don't drink too much soda, those type things....)

THIS year however I have a few things I want to ATTEMPT to stick to some "resolutions" DUM DUM DUMMMMMMMMM lol.

SEWING:

I want to plan my projects better. This year, I just bought patterns because they are on sale. I will probably STILL do that, but I want the patterns that I buy to coordinate with SOMETHING else that I have in my stash already. I have to stop making "orphan" items. Same with purchasing fabrics. I know I will still buy fabric, but I want to make sure I am buying something that will coordinate with something already in my stash. I am going to have to be VERY careful with this because I am going on a big fabric shopping trip next year. Soo, we will see how I do! LOL.

I will not be afraid to try a new technique or work with a different/unfamiliar fabric.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Stepping up my game. *pat on my own back* I think I take really good pictures. REALLY GOOD, but I want them to be BETTER. I want that "WOW" factor. I have it SOMETIMES now, but I want it to be more consistent. I plan on challenging myself weekly. I will NOT do a daily challenge because I know I won't stick with it, but once a week I can handle. I am working on my "assignments" now.

SCRAPPING:

One goal I have is to submit more. I used to do this all the time, but now I want to do it more. I will not be that so consumed in submitting that I forget why I scrap person, been there done that. I will not be devastated if my work is not picked up...been there done that. I will however create LO's that I love, and would love to see in print! LOL

Scrap more with my friends! I didn't do NEARLY enough of this, this year. AT ALL. I also want to host more scrap times at my house. I think I have enough room to do that. Cheryl what do you think? I'm going to add another long table, either this week or next. I'll let you come over when Project Organized Creative Space is complete lol.

KNITTING:

THINK ABOUT PATTERNS AND YARN BEFORE I BUY THEM. I get SO excited about yarn and patterns that I buy them before I think them through. MUST STOP DOING THAT. I end up with patterns and yarn that I no longer want to make/use and it ends up STASH lol.

Nothing in the food department, I refuse to cut back on or give up sweets lol.

Nothing in the money department. :-) Cuz Imma do what I damn well please.

Nothing in the family department, because hubby and I already talked about that! LOL

Nothing in the friend department because my really close friends have already been talked to!

Ok, that is it. Do you guys have any plans!?!?!? Do tell.

La la la la la la...(Think Smurfs)

**LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE SONG YOU HEAR....ABOUT 10 OR SO YEARS AGO, MY PARENTS HAD THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MY MOMS THEIR HOUSE, WELL WE ALL HAD TO SING TO GET OUR GIFT....YEAH..FUN...AND WHEN THIS SONG CAME ON MY MOM AND HER SISTERS WERE FIGHTING OVER THE MIC...LIKE LITERALLY TRYING TO TAKE THE MIC FROM EACH OTHER, LAYING ON THE BOTTOM PART OF THE FIREPLACE...STILL SINGING, TRYING TO GET THE MIC. I heard it the other day and was just tickled lol**

Happy Monday guys!! It was a pretty quiet weekend around here. I wasn't feeling my best, so I pretty much stayed in, with the exception of going to Aj's game Saturday morning. They won 40 to 20. YAY!  I did have a hot minute on Saturday where I thought I was going to sew, but after doing my girls hair....ummm, not so much lol. So maybe next time. BTW, I still don't have my machine back, but I was going to pull out my VERY old Brother! LOL.

Aj lost his first tooth yesterday. Awwww, it's the LAST first lost tooth in my house. Too bad he is not completely snag! LOL. For some reason, my kids teeth never come out until the new teeth are coming in. There is still hope for the top teeth! LOL

And the tooth....awwww *sniff, sniff*. I pulled out my 50mm for this one lol. It has been a SERIOUSLY long time since I shot with it. My 17-40L has been hogging the camera....LOVE my 50mm!!!

Saturday, Asia was at the door, and here comes the cat from across the street. Now we got her from across the street and the kids seem to think this is her brother...hmmmm. Well after they sniffed the door for a while.....

HE DECIDED TO STAY FOR A WHILE. HA! He left eventually but I'm not sure when lol.

I started on the Bold and Bulky Mini Cardigan from Fitted Knits....

This top picture was taken about 5 or 6 rows after cast on......

This picture was taken ummm, around 17 or so rows?? I just put the sleeves on scrap yarn, so I'll try it on shortly...

I FINALLY got my hands on some of the MM NOTEWORTHY. I was SERIOUSLY trying to hold out on buying this. BUT OMG. I can't wait until I get some energy to scrapbook!!!!

And I scrapped a little bit...I think I started this one day last week lol, but I finished it Friday. I told y'all I loved these pics from my trip to Tennessee with Jaelyn (Sorry Stacey, no pics this weekend lol)

I love the way this came out...

Products: Crate Paper and Bazzill lol.

Some close ups...

I used the lovely creative memories wavy paper cutter on this. OMG. I am SO IN LOVE WITH THIS THING!!! Thanks Shakhan!!!!!!!!

I used my Silhouette to cut out my letters and the swirley things. I LOVE MY SILHOUETTE!!!!!!!!!!

The font I used was Cream Puff. Aj helped me put them on lol. One thing I will say, I used the QuickStripz made for the Silhouette by Bazzill. I do NOT like them. They do NOT have enough adhesive on the back and THAT is frustrating. So....well enough about that lol. I will have to show you guys how freaking easy this thing is to use. A video tutorial is near! LOL

SOME GREAT LINKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stacey  had a WONDERFUL post yesterday on Sojourner Truth. Please go check it out. I was SO unaware of what I found out!!! VERY INFORMATIVE POST!!!!

There are some great scrapbook inspiration blogs around...This is a new one called "OUTTA THIS FUNK"

I hope you guys like it too! Not sure how many of you know about it, but it looks really neat!

Ok, I've been emailing back and forth with a few of you about my organizing process. This all started when I found out I still had cancer. Well....I thought I wasn't going to make it for a BRIEF moment and started to get things, "TOGETHER" lol. Well, I know I will be fine, and I have always been organized but I am just taking it to another level!!! So here are some of the blogs that I frequent. They have REALLY good tips, and some have PDF's that you can download. Really good information...Some of you may not need a blog or any tips to help you get and stay organized, but if you do, here ya go...

GET ORGANIZED

Jeri's Organizing & Decluttering News

Organising Queen

Organized with Style

Your Life Organized

Ok, that is it. See you guys later. Keep me in your thoughts, this is my LAST WEEK OF TREATMENT!!!! The doctors have told me this will be my worse week, but I don't want to claim that. LOL.

**THE CHRISTMAS SONG**

No Title Thursday.......

Hello internet land! LOL. How are you all doing? I am GOOD. I found out Tuesday that my iron was VERY, VERY , VERY low, but now I have some nice red pills that make me feel better lol, and some spinach, and some beets lol. EEWWW lol. But I'm good today. I am taking all of this ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!! I realize there will be good days and not so good days. And I plan to keep a record of it all.

Ok, how about a WTF moment. Ummmm WHY did I get a BOX of baby formula in the mail??? WTF?!?! I do NOT need this nor do I want it. I have no idea why it came. Tony asked me if I had something to tell him.  Ummm HELL NO.

Ok, my SIL told me about this stuff and OMG. It is SO good. I have to HIDE it to keep my kids out of it lol. They love it too. OMG. Be warned, if you try it, it is VERY addictive. Soooooo good. Did I mention that it is good??? LOL

This book, The Knitter's Book of Yarn, is AMAZING. It's broken down soooo good. The first section is on Fiber Foundations. It talks about EVERYTHING!!! The next section talks about Making yarn. Now the third section, Ply Me A River...OMG. it breaks down all the different ply's, then goes into different yarn types (LOVE THIS SECTION) It also has patterns in it that are SORTED by the different plys/types of yarn. OMG. Did I say I love it!?!?! Now, I don't care for ALL the patterns, but there are a couple I could really see myself making.

GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have not been sewing, but I have been reading and this book, Fabric Sewing Guide Is a MUST. It is WONDERFUL. It is full of SOOOOOOOO much information!!!!! I LOVE the way it's broken down. I mean, I have a LOT of sewing books. A LOT, but this one is sooooo good. I mean, if you want to learn about fabric, and it's contents, what's man made...omg. I could go ON and ON. This book is fantastic. 

While on the subject of sewing...... lol, I have made up in my mind, that I will stop saying, I wish I could do this, or I wish I could sew like that. I am just going to DO IT!! It's only fabric. If I mess up, it's only fabric. I have SO many books, and read SO many wonderful sewing blogs, it's time to apply what I am learning and stop WISHING. I CAN do this stuff. I think I am pretty good with my sewing machine, but there is so much  I can learn and WILL learn. SO IF I MAKE SOMETHING AND Y'ALL KNOW IT'S JACKED UP....be a friend and tell me! LOL IF IT'S TOO TIGHT.....TELL ME...LOL, ok enough of that.

 

I have finally gotten my fabric together for my first quilt. I wanted to do it this year, but ummm, that ain't gonna happen. I LOVE quilts. I don't like all the old timey type ones (I do have one that my great, great grandma made that is SO old it can not be washed. How old is it?? She used flour sacks for the backing. I will try and get a pic of it and post it) but I love the more modern quilts. Well I figured this would be a great place to start. Like all the pretty fabrics????

Don't get all excited. I picked up this "kit" from Joann's lol. Next time I make one I will get more creative! LOL. I also loved the container! LOL

Ok, that's enough for now. Y'all have a great day!

Toodles!

Weekend update! LOL

Trying to get into the Christmas "spirit". I mean, it just doesn't FEEL like Christmas to me. I don't know lol. The tree is up (picture coming, the kids did it ALL BY THEMSELVES) ummm yeah lol.So enjoy the music lol.

This weekend was a really rough one. First time that I've been physically sick. My parents came and got the kids so that my house could be quiet. Hubby took good care of me. I still feel icky today(NOT NEARLY AS BAD) but it's to be expected. I know it's real, just kinda made me realize it EVEN more. But all will be well soon. I am on my second week of treatments.

Ok, how about some pics. First, here is Tree Jacket. I finished this during the Thanksgiving Holiday so here is a pic: *disclaimer, I did NOT feel good when I took this lol*

Details:
Start Date: October 22, 2008
End Date:  November 22, 2008
*It really didn't take a month, I just wasn't dedicated to it after the first frogging lol*
Yarn: BSCF in Harvest
Needles: Denise size 9
Notes: I really enjoyed knitting this! It was fun, and I was successful! The fit is PERFECT!!!! LOL I kinda ALMOST want one in black....Hmmmmm

Have you guys seen THIS LINK YET?!?! HMMMMMMM, there are a couple things I really like. Gonna have to get this issue!!!

NEXT:

Kayla marched in her first Christmas Parade.

Here is a pic of Aj waiting on it to start lol:

Yep, that's a LO waiting to happen. I've already printed the picture lol. (That's for you girlie lol)

And here are a couple of Miss Kayla:

You guys should have seen me running trying to get in front of her group to take pics...well maybe you shouldn't have lol. She did such a good job. She walked nearly 2 miles. The child was TIRED when it was over lol.

A couple more parade pics:

This was Aj's favorite part lol. He was UPSET because he couldn't tell Spider Man hello lol. Sorry bud!

This was my favorite lol. H&R block came through and the front of this little boys box said "child care" then on the back said "I'm a tax deduction" I thought that was too funny lol.

Then there were some horses:

There were a lot more but these were my favorite horses lol.

Then there was Aj's first basketball game which they won...ummm 31 to 20 I think.

Lookie at my baby...he is #12

Here he is making a free throw (they let all the kids make free throws after the game, but the points still count toward the score)

And YES It went in. NOTHING BUT NET!!! *SWISH*

And the coach giving them the you did great, congrats on winning the game pep talk:

Awwww, that's my baby! LOL

Ok, that is it you guys!!! Look for a great interview tomorrow (written this time). You'll love it!!!!

Toodles!

***THIS CHRISTMAS***

WHOOO HOOOOOOOO TGIF!

WOO HOOO, Throw back Friday!!!!! So....who does this song make you think about??? I know it's SOMEBODY!!!! LOL

Ok, AMY FROM OHIO, who does NOT have a blog but SHOULD,*HINT, HINT* was my 10,000th commenter! YAY, I have a gooooooooooddddddd scrapbook package for you so send me your email addy and I will get your package in the mail. And y'all know I do it up! LOL

In sewing news, I sent my machine off so that the button hole maker can be repaired so there has been NO sewing, but I am about to tear my entire "area" down and totally revamp it. I will reveal it HOPEFULLY after the first of the year. THE NEW YEAR WOW, where did THIS year go!?!? While on the subject of change my blog will get a face lift of sorts....so yay! All changes will HOPEFULLY be seen after the new year. I'm working on it now...

In knitting news, I finished Tree Jacket and left it at my SIL house of the holiday lol. It was mailed yesterday so MAYBE Monday or Tuesday I can post it! YAY. I started my ascot, but had to frog it because the short rows confused the crap out of me but I "THINK" I have it now, so I will work on that over the weekend.

Kayla has her Christmas parade tomorrow, and she is SO excited! I am too. It is going to be COLD so wish us ALL luck. I want to stay the whole time, but I might just have to watch her and come back home. I don't need a cold.

Ok, I think that is it. I know y'all like pics and I have not ONE! I will have plenty on Monday though! LOL

Have a great weekend!!
Toodles!!!!

BWOF 09/2007 Model 101B....and some other stuff lol.

Hello there!!!! Ok, let's start shall we? LOL.

My first BWOF. I did it. I had a lot of reservations about trying these patterns, then I made this one. While it wasn't difficult (I picked a pretty easy one lol) when I finished it I was not happy with it. I walked away and came back, and now I really like it!!!

And one with the jacket closed....

Jaelyn was a little off on her camera game today, but still pretty good for an 11 year old.

This is more than likely how I will wear this. I love the look with a jacket. I think I MIGHT make this again, in a knit this time. I took a chance and used a charmeuse. The pattern calls for knit fabrics only but I really wanted a silky-type tie front blouse. I made my muslin first to make sure it would be okay using a NON-KNIT. Everything was fine, so I continued. I did french seams for the first time and it was NOT hard!!! It took forever because the fabric was slippery but for the most part I really enjoyed making this top. It is my first BWOF but it will NOT be my last. Thanks everyone for all the encouragement while I was doing this! LOL

I promised some cool linkage, so here we go.

Check out this post about Ravelry and blogging....what do YOU think???

How about this REALLY cool MINI COBBLESTONE!?!?!?

A couple of my scrapping buddies are wanting to learn to knit....I rounded up some great links. Maybe you guys can use them too!

Knitting Help.com

SaveKnitting.com

Knittingatknoon

How about some scrapbooking. Ok, I am SURE by now you guys have seen the new cover of Creating Keepsakes Magazine.

This does NOT look like a "typical scrapbook magazine" Try  Domino even Blueprint. I mean look at it lol. NOT a scrapbooking magazine. Now, this is a great marketing trick. MORE people will pick this up, thinking that it's not a scrapbook mag. But that is just what I think.

Y'all should know by now that I am SO Not into scrapbooking kits anymore. I used to get SO MANY, it was insane. Now, I avoid them like the PLAGUE, but in case any of YOU are looking for some....Here are some that I think are awesome. :-)

The TOP one on my  list (if I was going to get a kit, OR design for someone lol)

Noel Mignon  HER KITS ROCK! Just PACKED. I have been SO good at not giving in to temptation...but it has been a HARD THING TO DO! LOL

The Scarlet Lime *gasp*

Scrapologie *sigh, swoon* Their presentation is SUPERB. I mean, you can HATE the kit, and still want to get it because of the way they present it.

Little Red Scrapbook This is one kit that I can say, I have liked since the beginning.  Of course some kit's may not be your taste, but they have a really good design team, and they always work the kits. Seriously.

Jenni Bowlin I think I just like her products lol.

**NO ONE ASKED ME TO PLACE THESE HERE, THIS IS JUST MY OPINION**

I have been scrapping, but I am submitting some, so they shall not be seen yet lol.

Lastly lol...I will leave you with this Caramel Lattee Recipe

I made this the other day because I am now HOOKED on Panera Bread Coffee. IMHO, it is SO much better than Starbucks, AND it's cheaper. Dang, now I want one!!! LOL

Ok, back to the recipe....I kinda made it like it said, but I kinda did my own thing lol. Instead of using evaporated milk I used 2% milk and instead of using instant coffee, I brewed my own.

IT WAS VERY GOOD!!!!! I even added whip cream to top it off!!! Try it!

Ok, that is it guys!!! I have a great  knitting interview for you guys tomorrow!!!

Toodles!

I'm all over the place today!!!!

I must say, thank you all for the comments, emails, phone calls...EVERYTHING!!!! I hope by me "bearing all" someone will make the appointment they have been putting off. Monday(I think it was Monday lol, my days are OFF lol) was a BAD day for me, I cried all day long. Seriously. I think it just all kinda hit me. I was sick as a dog  for a few days, at home in bed, the works. I got out of bed, got dressed and left home yesterday (started feeling better) and I had a good time. It is a wonderful thing when you have blessed with friends that will listen to you yap, let you cry, grow new grey hair for you and still tell you if you mess up! LOL. Thank you girl! I enjoyed my day out! LOL

NEXT! Ok, I don't think I have ever said in advance who is going to be on the pod cast, but I will be putting up two episodes next week. One audio and one written. The audio will be put up on MONDAY. I had a chance to talk with Deepika who is the brainchild behind Pattern Review...yeah you know the site. LOL  I asked her a couple of weeks ago (my sense of time is so off) I think, but we recorded yesterday evening. She is SUPER sweet!!!  But I will put that one up on Monday! YAY. So just a heads up lol.

NEXT! A few months ago, Kayla was contacted by Birmingham Home and Garden to do a little interview on Thanksgiving lol. Now they talked a good 10 minutes, but when the article came out, she had like two lines in the magazine. Editing...is NO JOKE! LOL Take a look....

The cover lol...

See my baby? LOL

And the rest of the article.... You can click the images and make them larger...

NEXT! LOL Here is some yarn for one of my many next projects! LOL. I have cast on itis I told y'all lol...

It's for the Fitted Knits Mini Cardi Now, when I first saw the pattern in the book, it really didn't GRAB me. I mean I have a few on my list that I'd love to knit...but when I saw THIS ONE on RAVELRY.... LOL,  Y'all know how that is. You have the books, you see the patterns, but someone makes it and all of a sudden what you thought was DRAB is all of a sudden FABULOUS!!! LOL, it happens with me and sewing all the time LOL!!

Last but NOT least.....

I got this beautiful card from Maria!! Thank you!!!

And Robin sent me a box of goodies too, and this card made me laugh SO hard!!! LOL Thank you Robin!!!

Ok, I THINK that is all  LOL. I have some more packages coming this week. I may have been sick but I still shopped lol. I have some beautiful fabrics on the way lol, and a few other goodies! LOL

I'm obsessing!!!!

I must knit this NOW!!!!

The red one is my favorite, as far as color goes, but I will do this in a more neutral color to match my red coat....black, or ivory.

I fell in love with this freaking ascot when I first saw the IK Holiday preview. Looking at Ravelry, a lot of other people like it too! LOL

Keep me in  your thoughts. Had a kinda, umm, "scary" past few ( six, seven, eight lol) days. I will update you all in a couple of days, but for right now I'm doing well and resting.

Ok, now off to order some Melange because NEITHER of my LYS carry it! I need a matching hat too :-).....

Toodles

Is it JUST me....

Or are the days REALLY zooming by? I finished the rest of my Christmas shopping on Friday. I AM SO GLAD THAT IS OUT OF THE WAY!!!!! I still have ONE thing left to get and that is for hubby, sooooooooo no mention on the el blog-o lol.

Friday night I took the kids to their Fall Festival, and lemme tell you it was COLD. A lot of it was outside and boy was I GLAD when they wanted to go in the haunted house!! Here is a quick picture of Kayla, who became a beautiful butterfly:

I was "THIS" close to getting my face painted....I wanted to be a butterfly too!!! And Aj wanted to be a "snake" lol

He told the lady doing the face painting that he did NOT want any glitter lol...that's my boy lol.

Yesterday I got a chance to go to my LSS Scrap Etc....BOY OH BOY. Danelle  has just done a wonderful thing with Creative Cafe. This product line is AWESOME, and I am NOT just saying that. I LOVE it. I mean, I can't really put it into words. It's a fantastic idea. You can click HERE to see if a store near you will have this. Monique has a great post HERE if you'd like to check it out.

Ok...some pics...

This is what you see when you first walk in the store:

Ohhh yummy lol. I walked in took pics, then quickly put my camera up so I could shop! LOL

A few close ups...

and more...

This is the back side of the display...

and a close up....

and one more....

I mean, there are cards, and chipboard albums, and brads, and felt letters, and felt phrases, and RUBONS! OMG. I MUST HAVE ONE OF ALL OF THE RUBONS!!! I hope the quality of the rubons is good. I am kinda a rubon snob. So once I work with them I'll let you guys know. I love to promote a good product and love to tell you to stay far, far away from a bad one.

So that is it for today. Tomorrow I will show you guys my progress on my tree jacket, and hopefully what I have been sewing...hopefully! LOL

Have a great day guys!

Toodles!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh Monday....

I swear it's like breathing a breath of fresh air. This weekend...to say the LEAST was ummm. Well I'll just leave it at that! LOL

First, thanks for all your emails and comments about the podcast! I will most def be doing one but I will also still have written interviews, because some people are really comfortable with that.

I have a lot lined up but one I am REALLY excited about is Kathryn. OMG...she is SUCH a seamstress!!!! I mean, this is ONE talented lady! That one is coming very soon!

I FINALLY took a picture in Butterick 5100.(someone tell me why the lady on the envelope modeling view c has this on backwards???) I can now scratch this one off of the Fall 2007 Sewing List.

I can not begin to tell you how freaking HOT I was in this! OMG. I thought I was going to pass out before Tony could take the picture!! It was SO hot yesterday!!! I took this off SO fast. I did NOT realize how thick this knit fabric was! LOL

Full Review on PR.

I have cut out my muslin for my first BWOF pattern!! YAY, so I will sew that today and before the week is out, I hope to show you guys my first BWOF! YAY lol...ok enough of that!

IN SCRAPPING NEWS:
OMG, I FINALLY got my hands on some October Afternoon. I have been drooling over this stuff since CHA! I am so about to hoard this!! It is BEAUTIFUL!!!! At least I think so lol....

It was getting dark when I snapped this pic, but the colors are dead on. I LOVE this!!!

In knitting, the leftovers vest has been frogged until another time.  It was going fine, then I got tired of it. It's just ENDLESS sts but still. So I took it off the needles put it BACK into balls and started on this:

Yes my dears, that is Tree Jacket. This pattern is making me SO happy right now. So far so good. I have divided the sleeves, so hopefully it will all end up well! LOL. I'm back to knitting through my movies so hopefully I'll be done soon!

How about some freaky stuff.....not THAT kinda freaky, but on a BEAUTIFUL, windless day...sun shining, birds chirping....I walk out my house to see this:

yes you are seeing correctly.....

A tree fell on our family van! LOL. That gave me a headache. I'm glad we only drive it when we are going on a long trip(by long I mean more than one hour lol), and that it isn't my primary car! LOL I drive it once a week..MAYBE so it just won't "sit there".

I went on a field trip with Aj too, I think it was Thursday? LOL......Some pics? Sure....

Ok, now THIS was funny...he did NOT want the animals to eat out of his hand....so he fed them from a cup!

But wait...he warms up and lets the pony lick his hand...can you see his face? LOL

He warms up some more to the idea....and keeps letting animals lick his hand...eww lol.

I would have taken more pics but we were rained out. I was SO  glad I took my point and shoot!! This one guy had his SLR and BOY was HE upset!!! He said So many profane words lol...yeah his camera is basically screwed. He had a 30D. SO glad I left mine at home! LOL (IT WAS POURING!!!!!!!!!)

Alright guys....I am on a "Lutha" kick...so bear with me, but it is SO amazing...to be loved....ROFLOL

Toodles!!!

******SO AMAZING by Luther Vandross******

Ahhhhhh a new day lol

So what is going with you guys!?? Not much here! I have a busy day today but HOPEFULLY it will all be over by noon? lol I CAN HOPE....but the rest of the week is busy for me too lol

Ok a few things....FIRST, have you guys seen Project Runway Canada? Ok, it is AWESOME! I really enjoyed watching this yesterday!!!! I can't WAIT until the next episode and I can't wait until November 14th when the Season 4 starts!!! Just AWESOMENESS!!! lol

What do you guys think about HOF? Is anyone going to try out? Or do you believe the contests are rigged?

I am SO late for this but I am going to start doing the challenges from One Little Word. Gonna see how creative I can get lol. This should be fun!

While on the subject of scrapping.....Here is another LO....I "LOVE" these pictures. I really, REALLY do lol

Can someone PLEASE tell me why my pages are scanning like this!? UGH. I'm about three clicks away from buying a wide format scanner!

Products:

CS: BAZZILL

PP: SCRAPWORKS

HS: FLOWERS AND LETTER STICKERS

MM: MINI BRADS

If you drove past my house yesterday you may have seen this:

This is the view from outside my front door....and this is the view from the inside:

Yes, my dears, I traced out my very first BWOF! YAY!!! lol. I had some good tips to tape the pattern to a big window or door to trace it and that is what I did! This is NOT as bad as I thought (the tracing). Hopefully the pattern will come together nicely!! I probably won't get a chance to work on my muslin until Thursday or Friday. So keep your fingers crossed for me!!

On a funny note, when my mailman drove by, he came up to the house...I DID NOT EVEN HAVE ANY MAIL....he asked me what in the world I was doing! LOL, he thought it was so funny. But I have the nicest mailman ever!!! LOL

Has Ruben made ya'll feel beautiful yet? lol I love this song!

Ya'll have  great day today!!

 

Toodles!!!

Sunday Morning Update!

Ok, why am I updating on a Sunday? LOL because if I don't, my post tomorrow will be insanely long.....gonna break it up a bit!

First, ya'll PLEASE go see Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married. It is PHENOMENAL. While it is LONG, it is VERY good and DOES NOT seem like it!! I went with my hubby and Erica & her hubby and we had fun. It's been a loooooooooooooooooooooong time since we went on a double date. But yeah, PLEASE go see this movie, and CHECK YOUR TICKET STUBS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TICKETS!!!

In other news, here is another LO that I did. I am so loving this color combo!

I think I might finally break down and get a scanner that will scan my 12x12 LO's I hate the way this merged. ugh. Anyway....

Supplies:

CS: Bazzill

PP: SR

HS: Ghost letters, bling, rubons letters (DANCE) and corner stamp.

Font: Everafter

I used this new Prima Clear Tape (Can't even find it online) but this stuff is AWESOME. It's the border that divides the two pp's at the bottom.

The other day I was on Ravelry looking for some patterns for Zanete  (WHO NEEDS TO UPDATE HER BLOG) to knit until she gets her Ravelry invite,and came across Ruffle Scarf it's by Kathryn Ivy . Is it not the CUTEST!? I really like this. Don't know if I will knit it (or have the time to knit it lol) but it is really cute. Ravelry is going to be the death of me lol. I'm already looking for an excuse to buy yarn! LOL

Alright guys, I think that is it for this morning! Hope you all are having a great day! I am totally stuck on this song right now, so you guys get to hear it too, LOL!

Oh, Angela...I am MUCH better today! ROFLOL!

**Make ya feel beautiful Ruben Studdard**

Let's throw it back!!! And some other stuff!

Ok, I won't say this is throw back...well I guess it depends, but it is a CLASSIC if nothing else! Oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oooooooh  LOL Have you guys had a good week? I sure have. Thanks for all the feedback about the video blog entry! I will do another one next week!.

Ya'll, my baby, well my oldest, Jaelyn had went to her FIRST dance last night. She was SO excited.....

My child is growing up *sigh*, it is SO bitter sweet! Look at that brace free smile lol

Ok, before I cry lol. In other news I got my FIRST copy EVER of Burda World of Fashion. The September issue is on its way too! LOL

I am finally going to try it. Tany and Cidell are like the BWOF Diva's. I am sure there are more, but these are the two that I look to lol. What will my first project be?

The Over Blouse check out the techinical drawing...

Can't wait. I'm going to go get my fabric on Monday. Wish me luck! There is a Burda Yahoo Group too, join  up! I did. I will NO DOUBT have some questions! LOL

While I was without a machine, I couldn't sew, BUT I could buy fabric (my no buy fabric until I did five outfits went OUT THE WINDOW LOL) and that is just what I did lol

I got some really nice shirting....

and this one...

and my FAVORITE....

Some Charmeuse in butterscotch. It is SO soft and oh so lovely. I can't wait to work with it!

In knitting news I am making good progress on my LEFTOVERS VEST BY KNITTY. I Hope to finish it next week so I can cast on for either Treejacket or Cobble stone. I only knit at night....soooo..I MIGHT work on both of them at the same time...but we will see!

Ok guys that is IT for me, have a great weekend!

Toodles!

FO's...FINALLY and some randomness!!!

Hellllooooooooooooooo there!!!!

So today is Saturday and I am posting...LOL, that is because I am sure my post on Monday will be very long and FULL of pics! TEE HEE... Gotta love being able to "set" your entries to post! LOL because I am SO not at a computer doing this ON a Saturday! LOL

First, let me say I GOT MY WASHER YESTERDAY!! YAY! You have NO Idea how happy I am right now. SERIOUSLY. I PROMISE not to complain about doing the laundry again! Not being able to do it at home gave me a NEW appreciation for my machine being home. BELIEVE THAT! LOL

Here it is all nice and new...I seriously can't wait to break it in! LOL

AND when you turn it on, the WATER WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!! THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY! LOL

I ALMOST got a front loading but they are SO small. The sales guy tried to tell me that I could put as much as I could fit in there, INSIDE the washer and it would fill up enough water to wash it...but ummm, all I could stuff in it was like 3 pair of jeans and some socks lol. It was TOO small for my family! I would be doing laundry forever! LOL

Ok, Ok, Ok, here is Flair! FINALLY! LOL

Please ignore kitty in the window and the stupid look on my face...My husband is a NUT lol! And the hideous blinds. I HATE THOSE! UGH, but I ordered wooden blinds for ALL 14 windows in my house! LOVE CUSTOM BLINDS!!! YAY! They shall be here soon. Anyway...

Flair:

DETAILS:

Time to complete: TOO LONG! LOL

Yarn: Blue Sky Cotton

Needle: Size 9 Denise (I knit VERY tight)

Buttons: Hancock

I really like this pattern. The buttons are crooked on the band, because I didn't know what I was doing until the very end...see how the last two are centered? Yep, no way around that, and no excuses. I messed up plain and simple and didn't want to go back! LOL HONESTY, is a good thing lol. So next time I do buttons bands, I will know what I'm doing! Lesson learned. LOL, I will still wear it but probably no where IMPORTANT LOL.

NEXT:

Anthropologie Inspired Capelet

DETAILS:

Time to complete: Total about 5 hours. (I didn't knit straight through)

Yarn: Rowan Polar

Needles: Options size 11

I really liked this and will make another one in black. It was really easy and quick! I still need to get something to close it with. But it is done!

I JUST Might have another FO on Monday...HOPEFULLY...we will see!!!

I made a run to the scrapbook store on Friday...got some of the new HS goodness. I am VERY anxious to try the metallic rubons...HOPEFULLY they aren't CRAP...but I'm willing to try....AND I got some of the new BG albums. They are ADORABLE! Already got plans for one! LOL Oh, and some SR rubons...ya'll already know I'm addicted to rubons lol

I am at a point where I need to start restocking my cardstock. I'm using Prisim now instead of Bazzill. INTERESTING HUH!? LOL

Made a trip to hancock to get a couple new patterns....don't even know which view I will make just yet but got them anyway.

That's it for today!!! I am predicting that I am off having a ball right (as you read this) now since it is Friday at 5 when I'm typing this! LOL. I am SO feeling this song right now! Hubby and I had a good time dancing to this the other night, or the other morning...EARLY! LOL I have it on repeat on my Ipod....

 

**Alicia Keys NO ONE** Toodles!!!

A little bit of everything.....

Ya'll all know that I am a SAHM/ photographer. I love what I do, I love my clients, (only had one REALLY bad one). I love all things photography! LOL I read a lot on photography, study my camera a LOT, try new techniques...different stuff. I have "NOT" gone to school for photography at "this" point, but it is something I am seriously considering in the near future.  I am SO not above learning, and I do not CLAIM to know it all. What I have learned is mainly self taught. My clients all know that I am self taught and they do NOT have a problem with it.

I read a LOT of photography blogs. This one has to be my favorite. Take a few minutes and click THIS link and watch the video. I would seriously give my left leg to find a bride willing to do this for me. Granted this is PROBABLY a paid model....but still....

****ETA Patrick from the above website contacted me and that is NOT a paid model. She is indeed a bride who was married a week before, her husband is a photographer, and invited a bunch of his friends over to help shoot the session. VERY NICE! Thanks Patrick for clearing that up...NEVER ASSUME GUYS!! LOL****

I have seen hundreds of these videos, but this one just gives me chill bumps. EVERY TIME I LOOK AT IT! Talk about inspiring.

Here is their website.  Just awesome work.

Moving on......

Thanks to Tawnya who sent this very special gift to little Miss Kayla! She loves it!

Here is a little sneaky sneaky of my Anthro Inspired Capelet. LOL, Erica said it looks like a "Jaelyn sized sweater...I had to try it on and show her it does fit me lol.

And a little sneaky sneaky of Flair.... I have a very busy weekend, so I'm HOPING that I can get a pic in my garments so you guys can see the true fit...MONDAY...cross your fingers and toes! lol

Ya'll remember Asia? Click her name, she used to be so little!!!

See her kitty "bling"? lol

She see ya'll looking at her! LOL Yes, she posed for the camera lol

Kids made pizza last weekend....let's thank the Mr. Tony for the pics...lol

Aj is SUPPOSED to be putting the cheese ON the pizza not in his mouth...lol

They put SO much cheese on the pizza lol....it was good though lol

What else...ummm

My fabric for my Vogue coat came last week, or the week before lol and yes it is THAT red. Isn't it Ann!? LOL

I also got my fabric from Fashionista Fabrics. It's SO beautiful. Already cut out...lol just waiting on my new machine, but more on that when it gets here! YAY!! lol

Ok, that's it. Ya'll ready to throw it back? LOL

Toodles!

It's STILL Wednesday?? lol

This has been THE longest day! So what have you been up to? Me?

I did a two hour power clean, all the laundry is done and put away, did a deep clean in my kitchen, cut out my next couple of patterns lol, watched America's Next Top Model....

I went to see my sis Zanete  the other day, oh YESTERDAY LOL, and here is some of her knitting....she is doing GOOD ya'll....

Stacey, this is JUST for you....

This green number is a umm, pillow/cover for the kitty lol

She has PERFECTED the wash cloth!! Trying new stitches and stuff

What is she working on? Well She wanted to try circluar needles....So I went in search of the "perfect" pattern for her, when I thought about this tube scarf I saw in Lucky...

I have a book, very easy circular knits, and found this for her...

Now I want one. I will modify mine though....not such a heavy yarn.....hmm yep!! I want to knit so much (YES FO PICS COMING SOON LOL) I still have to find my buttons for Flair. I saw some that were BEAUTIFUL, but the store only had TWO. Ummmm...I was uppppset! LOL

While on the subject of Zanete...here is her new kitty Amya

In other news, I got a LOVELY package from Christina. What was in the package you ask???

When I tell you...these spices are THE BOMB!!!! I can't tell you how good this vulcan's fire is...OMG..and the spiced sugar. MY LAWD. Make a sista wanna cook! LOL Thanks girl!!!! You are a sweetie!

Last but DEF not least, I was able to meet another fellow blogger!!! Adriann.

She is super sweet! I wish we would have had more time, but I had to get back on the road! But next time!!!! LOL Thanks for taking time out of your day to hang for a minute!!

Ok, I do have more, but this is LONG enough! LOL

Toodles! See ya'll later!!!!

I'ight stop what you doin.....

**QK FOR SALE**  Since I now have my Shilouette I am selling my QK dies. I do NOT have a hand tool. Anyway as far as dies I have :

STUDIO CLASSIC, UPPER, LOWER, NUMBERS AND PUNCTUATION $65.00 PRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING SOLD

KATIE , UPPER, LOWER AND PUNCTUATION $60.00 PRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING

PAIGE (NOT THE CLASSIC) UPPER, LOWER, AND PUNCTUATION $60.00 PRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING

SHAPE DIES: THESE WILL BE SOLD AS A "LOT" PHOTO CORNERS,  FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEARTS, BABY TSHIRT, POCKETS, B'DAY HAT, CANDLE, BIG BOW, SWIRL, TWO DIFFERENT EASTER EGGS, SMALL BOW, CHRISTMAS WREATH, TWO BALLOONS, TWO MUSIC NOTES, THREE DIFFERENT TAGS, THREE DAISYS, TWO CIRCLE TAGS, FOUR BIRTHDAY BOXES DIPLOMA, AND A LEMON.  34 DIES FOR $60.00 PRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL ME. IF NOT, I WILL LIST IT ON EBAY. JUST WANTED TO PUT IT HERE FIRST. :-)

It's Friday ya'll!!! Go ahead and dance with the video....I did lol. I was supposed to slow it down this week, but this one is for you girl! LOL ok, so how have you guys been? Me?!? GOOD! This has been a LONG week, but alas it's over! I don't have much planned for this weekend. I get to hang out with the Scrap Etc Design Team tonight and tomorrow I have a photoshoot and that is it for me! LOW KEY! WOO HOOO!!! Love that!!!

For all my readers that had my old email address as my AIM name, PLEASE change it to adnixon1036. Don't make me start calling names, Dana, Jeanette, Ronalyn, Maria.....i'll leave it with you guys for now lol..oh PATRICE!!!! LOL MIMI...we gotta get it working girl! LOL

Ok, how about some real "content" lol

SEWING:

I finished one item on my Fall Sewing List. It's Butterick 4805 Excuse the blurry photo's Jaelyn took them for me :-) I need to give that camera back to Aj! LOL

Can I please just tell you how much I LOVE this skirt?? It is SO comfy and I think the fit is great. I do however need to do a few more sit-ups and put on my Spanx lol. Here is a back view.

This dips down in the back and it's just so cute. I really like it. I like the fact that it will take me from summer, to fall...straight into winter. I have on wedge heels here, but you can't see them lol and a long tank. You HAVE to wear something that will tuck into this skirt so you can see the back detail or you will really be A$$ED out as my girl said lol. In the winter I can layer it with one of my knitted items and some pointy toe boots. Yep....nice! LOL

And a couple of details. The hem. I wasn't sure what type of hem to do on this....all hems are NOT created equal so I asked the expert and she told me to do it this way...

Even though you can't see it...lol, it's topstitched. The thread is the EXACT same color, but it did allow me to "practice" the technique.

and the wrong side....

I did take these pics as SOON as I finished the skirt, so you may see a few "loose" threads that I didn't pull out....rest assured they are gone now lol

While on the subject of "sewing" here is some fabric I have been stashing.....

I got this from Gorgeous Things.  I had one project in mind for it, but I think I'm going to change my mind, and use it for something else.... but umm, we shall see lol...

Some random demin....some for my guachos, and some for the girls.....

Love the colors of this....

lovely berry stripe.....

berry tshirt-ing fabric.....

and this grey stretch that is TDF!!! The first pic shows the EXACT color....

The next I over-exposed it so you could see the "sheen" on it...

This stuff feels FANTASTIC. It has a nice stretch and will make a nice pair of pants!

KNITTING.....

Here is a progress shot of Flair...

I'm about to make the third button hole. I only knit at night and in the car pool lane, so hopefully next week I will be done. I am aiming at next Friday the 31st....

How about some YARN p0rN???

Blue Sky Alpaca Silk for my Somewhat Cowl. LOVE THIS YARN! OMG. It is SO soft. In a nice soft grey colorway....yuuummmmm

Rowan Cotton Rope for my Spicy Fitted V-Neck Tee from fitted knits.

SCRAPPING....

LOOK WHAT CAME TO MY HOUSE YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!

Yes my new toy is here! I will NOT open this until Saturday night or Sunday. If I open it BEFORE then, I am DONE. I won't do anything else, and I still have photos to edit from this week!! LOL It came SUPER fast. I ordered it the day it was on the air (dont' EVEN remember the date) and they said if they got my check by the next few days, I should have it by the 29th...so I mailed my check the next day and BAM, it was at my house yesterday! GREAT service! I can't wait to play with it so I can give you guys a review!

Alright, this post has been LONG enough. Have a great weekend! Stay safe and cool!
Toodles!

**DIGITAL UNDERGROUND- HUMPTY DANCE**

It's Friday!!! Let's throw it back!!!!

Hi guys!!! How are YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUU doing? Me....man, I'm straight! LOL. How about that Rob Base? Yeah it's been a minute. What ever happened to him...Next week ,I am going to slow it downnn....tee heee

So what's been going on? A LOT lol. But first things first....how about some YARN p0rN? LOL

Skye Tweed for Tony's Cobblestone pullover....YUMMY.

Rowan Polar for my Anthrolopogie Inspired Caplet...click the pics and make them bigger...you know you want to lol. This stuff is SO SOFT! OMG.

Blue Sky Cotton for Flair, which I am currently working on. I will show a progress pic next time....

Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece for Tree Jacket

Cascade 220 for Leftovers by Knitty.

I still have more yarn on the way for the rest of my projects...so I bet they come today! LOL

Can we all just say YUM?

In scrapbooking news, I get to hang out until I pass out with my neighbor Cheryl. The kids will watch Highschool Musical 2, while we scrap...and just have a good ole time....Between ebay and my LYS...boy...I tell you, this has been a FANTASTIC mail week.....

and

I thought there was ONE more picture, of all my scenic route...but umm, I guess I didn't take it. I thought I did! LOL

and THIS...Ok, when I was at Scrap  Etc Escape night last Saturday, a lovely woman by the name of Donna I do believe (If I am wrong PLEASE correct me...lol) gave me a little tip on sharpies...now, I went out and got some, and I am going to play with this today. I will post later..not rocket science, but I sure as heck didn't think of it! LOL

In sewing news....I have put the FINAL touches on what I will be sewing for the fall. My next update will put you all in the know. I have a TON of fabrics that I have bought, but not posted yet, so the next post will be a LONG one! Be prepared...lol (yes, longer than this lol)

And...I made a peach cobbler yesterday using THIS recipe. Can you say DIVINE. I used fresh peaches instead of canned. I took this pic around umm, 6ish yesterday evening....this is the CORNER of the pan. It is now GONE. Totally consumed. Between, me, the kids, Tony and my mom.....just gone lol.FANTASTIC...yes I am a greedy pig lol....that is why I work out three times a week! LOL

I will leave you with this FINAL picture....

Now I am posting this for two reasons...ONE, I LOVE my hair in this shot, (I'm letting it grow back now..won't take long lol) and TWO, I am eating cake (I have a MAJOR sweet tooth)..Tony saw this picture the other day while we were in bridge, and he just laughed. Ya see, I was stuffing my face...I had JUST come home from work, jacket not EVEN off yet, eating cake so the kids wouldn't eat it up from me lol. He calls me Mrs. Piggy from time to time! LOL ok, so maybe it was just funny to me! LOL

That is it guys...have a FANTASTIC weekend!

Toodles

**ROB BASE JOY AND PAIN**

FO!!! And some other stuff!

*******ETA, I just lost my mind and ordered the New Quickutz Silhouett

From QVC*********

Well hellllllllllllllloooooooooo there! How are you guys doing? I am VERY sleepy right now for some reason....HELLO to all the ladies I met at the crop this past Saturday....looking for those emails!!! :-)
Wanna see some pics???? Here ya go....

For the one and only Virginia lol, how about a pic of Aj on his first day of school???

and all three

Yep Good times. Funny moment? When Tony came home from work Friday and asked me where AJ was...Ummm baby he is at SCHOOL! LOL, I guess we are ALL adjusting!

Sewing: Not doing any sewing this week. I am cutting out my patterns and fabric so I can sew next week.

Knitting: I updated my sidebar to show what I will be knitting for the fall/winter. If it's over there, I have or will soon have the yarn for it...tee heee...yep...been shopping...just a little lol.

FO: I finished the Cropped Cardi last week. Here is a pic...

THE DETAILS:
Started on July 29, 2007

Finished on August 10, 2007

Yarn: Crystal Palace Cotton Flamme

(love the thick and thin texture of this) I got it from Little Knits

Denise size 7 and 9 needles.

INFO ON RAVELRY Check out my Ravelry info.

Mods: I did not pick up and knit along the front right and left because I actually liked the way it looked "rolled" I closed it with a silver pendant I had, but you can leave it open as well.

This is PRE BLOCKED. It's blocking now...I'll take another pic once its dry.

I will post more about my next project later on.....

And that is IT for today....I'm going back to finish scrapbooking!

Toodles!