Real Life: Live & Unscripted

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.. 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!

Throw Back Friday....Here we go again! LOL

Hello there!!!I am seriously loving this throw back Friday!! These are songs that were popular when I was a teenager lol...so if you don't want to hear, you can turn your volume down..see....all better!

I BAWLED after I dropped my son off at school yesterday. I mean seriously. My face was puffy for the longest. Kayla knows the ropes,  and Jaelyn was just a little nervous, but she had a good day. They all did. I swear they all talked for an hour straight AT THE SAME TIME! LOL. I love being a parent! LOL

The other day Erica and I went to Gus Mayer to see the Fall Trunk show for Designer David Rodriguez. We had a B L A S T.  Now please excuse the pics, they were taken with my camera phone lol

While he had some BEYOND AWESOME pieces....the prices were also umm, INSANELY PRICED. I mainly went to see how the garments were constructed,and to see what to look out for, for the fall. Some of the details we saw they do NOT show in magazines....and I have a few things tucked away in my notebook to try later in the year. I am SO glad I went! Erica is too fun to hang out with.  We will probably fight if we go shoe shopping together lol, we both have the same taste  and wear the same size lol.  Moving on lol.....

This wrap is something that I am most certainly going to re-create for those nights out with hubby....

This looks so easy to make. Love it.

We also spotted "ALL" the fall trends ( I couldn't get pics of all of them lol).....

The Cape:

Capes are so freakin hot right now. Now what set this one off was the way the sleeves were constructed....This one  has arm holes, but they left the sleeve flap open. OMG. I just thought it was a throw over the shoulder cape until I opened it up...it buttons and zips...and also carries a price tag of almost 3k. yeah.moving RIGHT along....

The Sleeveless Top

This style top/dress is EVERYWHERE. I will be making one of these, out a beautiful print! Can anyone say Simplicity 3799?  I even want to modify it to add the band around the waist.....

PLAID!!!!

The neck on this jacket is very similar to the one I am going to make. Vogue 8438. Houndstooth is also VERY hot, but I ran out of room on my camera lol. I need a memory card! LOL

The "Bubble" Sleeve

McCalls5471 has a pattern I will try... But if you look in the current issue of LUCKY magazine, it is ALL through it!

Retro Prints/Dresses

This style dress is not going ANYWHERE. I am SO glad. So mod...so 60's. Love it...just need a killer pair of knee high boots and you are SET!

KNITS....

Knits are EVERY FREAKING WHERE!!!!!

I tried on this Nanette Lepore jacket in purple, and when I tell you I seriously considered getting it. SERIOUSLY, like ready to pull Tony's credit card out of my purse. I have NEVER liked purple...never thought it looked good on me. I SO CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT THE COLOR THE OTHER DAY! I look fierce in the jacket and the color!!!! I think I was just in the wrong SHADE of purple. You will SO see this in my wardrobe VERY soon... (not the jacket the COLOR lol)

Love this dainty little sweater......

Cowl neck....so hot...and the color...I am SO in love with Grey! Aren't I Robin! LOL

Ummm, again, VERY, very cute!!!!

I will be doing my BEST to find a pattern similar to this vest. I LOVE this...

Love this gold number....all the cabling...and it's the same way on the back...price? $615.00 I think not. LOL

That is it for me guys!!! Next time I post, you will see a FO and some Layouts! YAY! I will also show you what I plan on making for the fall.....I call it "Transitions: From Summer to Fall." LOL, I have an everyday one and a let's go out version lol

Have a great weekend!
Toodles!!!!

**BBD- POISON**

My days are off......

Hi guys!! What day is it? Hope everyone is having a good week. Things are slowly coming back to normal around my house. I think Kayla was out too long today and now she is kinda pooped. Too much too soon. So back to taking it slow! Let's move on shall we?

This is my current knitting project...

Its the Lion Brand Cropped Raglan Sweater I think it's too big for the model. It looks really boxy on her.....

The yarn...It's Crystal Palace Cotton Flamme. I got a bag of it from Little Knits when I first learned of the site.

I also have a NEW flickr account. I started a new one for Ravelry, so if you recently added my older one (Bev and Maria, and a couple others) will you add this one? Thanks!!!

Here are a few progress shots. You can click the images to make them larger.

I cast on, Sunday...July 29th....

This is where I got to on Monday during Kayla's surgery.....

I love the texture of this yarn. Lovely. I will work on this again today so I can hopefully finish it by the weekend.

I went to Hancock with my partner in crime Erica today and we had fun. It's fun to be able to go shopping with someone that shares your same interests...there was much shopping to be done....I got....(some of this I got on my last trip, but I never posted it lol)

This brown is wonderful...it is going to make a lovely jacket.....

and this lovely lightweight denim. It has a little stretch to it and just a little sheen. I have a simple pants pattern that I am going to try with this. Muslin first. I need my pants to fit right. Not so tight that it looks like I am asking for a yeast infection, but not so loose to where it looks like I am swimming in them. So, I want it JUST right. :-)

and this lovely dark, dark blue number. This stuff is SO soft. This is going to make Vogue 8420

and this lovely number for M5322. I am hunting down some pleated ribbon for the front....similar to what is pictured on the front of the pattern cover.

and, I love this for Vogue 8410. I am going to make view A.

and this wool blend is going to make some wonderful wide leg pants...I have two patterns, just have to decide which one I am going to use.

and this beauty.....for McCall 5480. Now Erica seems to think I should make Vogue 7975 but ummm, I am not so sure about that. LOL She did say we could sew it together...ummm, I don't know. I might take her up on that though. lol

This is my jackpot fabric. This is THE softest....omg. And the great thing? IT WAS $1.45 a yard! Yes Ma'am it was! I bought it all.

Then there were patterns....I think I bought ABOUT 15 today for various fall stuff, so I dumped

them out on the floor....

and this isn't even all of them. There was a stack next to my dress form, that I some how missed...but with a little help from Kayla....

They are now all organized, with the pattern number on the outside of the box. Each company has their own box, so yay me. Hopefully I will be sewing soon. I have however been ordering sewing books....so that does count right? lol
Not to leave scrapbooking out of the picture...I picked up some of this today for some of my future pages....

Yes my dears, that is felt, and I can't wait to play with it. I also just ordered a BUNCH of older stuff....some BG rubons....Kraft CS...(I was running low) and I restocked my old Heidi Swapp stash....you know, since I use it so much and all ;-)....I also ordered some yarn....man, I'm going to have a GOOD mail week next week! Tee hee!

Well guys that is IT lol.

Toodles!

TGIF? LOL & A FO!!!!

*****ETA I GOT MY RALVERY INVITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am 3kids1036*****

First, thanks for all your kind words about my layouts! It really felt good to scrap for ME again! And I won't go that long EVER without scrapping again!

Umm, this has been a LONG week lol. BUT it's the weekend now so YAY! What do you guys have planned?? ME? A little bit of this....and a little bit of that...you know how I do it! LOL

I am a part of a yahoo group that sent out this link the other day....TALK ABOUT STASH!!!!!!

Worlds Largest Stash

I WISH I would have known about this crayon idea when my kids were smaller!!! So if you guys have small kids...give this a try!!!

Crayons for Small kids

I tried a new recipe (tee hee, you know why I'm laughing ;-) ) and it was WONDERFUL!!!!!

Corn and Zucchini Melody

I added more cheese than it called for because we all love cheese....it was a HUGE hit.

I couldn't decide which picture I liked best, so I put them both up! LOL

I left the bacon inside of the dish, and still added more to the top...but it was after I took this pic...the natives were restless! LOL

I  also added some fresh crushed garlic and I used fresh corn. SO good.

I served it with boneless, skinless fried chicken breast. Let me tell you...it's been SO long since I fried some chicken. No words can describe my happiness....or my stomach ache because I ate WAY too much!

While on the subject of food...I am SO ordering this:

Its a GIANT CUPCAKE PAN

 

Is this not THE CUTEST THING? I would love this for a party...or for one of my "let's make a cake for no special reason days" we seem to have those a lot!!!

In knitting news....I have a FO!!! But first let me tell you about Robin...She is THE sweetest. We talk throughout the day quite a bit lol and she knows that I am a new knitter.....she sent me a sweet little care package of different yarns, so I can try knitting with them to kinda see what I like, so I won't have to buy yarn without having tried it. A yarn tasting if you will!  SO SWEET! I can't wait to play with this over the weekend.

Thanks again Robin!!!

Now to my FO fo fo fo (can you hear the echo?) tee hee

Since I took this pic, I did weave in that little end over there.....lol

STATS:

Pattern: Ballet Tee from Loop de loop

Started: July 23, 2007

Finished: July 23, 2007

Actual Knitting Time: About 5 hours.

Yarn: Lion Brand Microspun double strand. I used two full balls, and then a LITTLE on the other two balls. I mean it's still practically two full balls.

Needles: Size 15 Denise.

I LOVE this pattern and I plan on making another one with a little bit longer sleeve. This top is SO soft.

The first one I made, the sleeves were TOO tight. I ripped back and did it again. I will try and get a pic of me wearing this. I will have to wear it with a tank because of the openess of the top. I love it though. VERY easy knit...but umm, when you bind off....take the stitch marker off....

And you know I didn't see this until AFTER I was finished! ROFLOL! Yeah it's funny lol

That's it for me you guys! Keep my baby Kayla in your prayers. She has her surgery Monday morning.

Toodles!

Do ya'll remember when Micheal Jackson...was MICHAEL JACKSON!?!?!? **MIchael jackson PYT**

It's TUESDAY!

Yeah, sorry no cute title today tee hee! Have you guys seen this new knitting book? Hmmm. I never order books sight unseen...well Fitted Knits I did because Robin recommended it sooooo much! I'm SO glad I did!

I KNIT I think what DRAWS me to this book is the whole "I" concept....I KNIT lol...silly I know but I won't be ordering this lol..just like the title.

The Interweave Knits Fall Preview is up.... I can't wait to get it (which will hopefully be ANY DAY NOW) I  I do like the Minimalist Cardigan. Not sure how I feel about all that seed stitch, but it's really nice! I LOVE the Cobble Stone Pullover. Is this by Jared AKA Brooklyn Tweed? You all know I worship his knitting needles...hmmmm lol I might do this one for my husband for Christmas. MAYBE.  I also kinda like the free project, Bryants Slipcover!!! NOT in that color, but I like it!

While on the subject of knitting... GUESS WHO HAS BECOME OBSESSED WITH LEARNING TO KNIT??? ZANETE!!! I will give her, her first lesson this weekend!!! YAY!

I can NOT wait to make The Tree Jacket. My problem? What color yarn. I do NOT want to use red! LOL.... My first thought was black, and I think I might end up with that one, BUT the other colors I was considering...

Banana  (will look great with chocolate pants/skirt or denim...)

Harvest  (this just screams fall!!! *sigh*)

Truffle    ( I just love brown!!! LOL)

Teddy Bear (brown family AGAIN LOL)

So until I make up my mind.....I won't start on it! LOL I'm ready to buy yarn so HELP! lol

Google Reader

I have left bloglines and I now LOVE google reader!!!! Anna first told me about this a while back, but I was happy with bloglines! Until maybe last week when it just KEPT messing up. ugh. So I switched. I like this 200% better!!!

1. It updates FASTER!!
2. My most FAVORITE feature...you can EMAIL entries! Now on bloglines you could keep one as new and everytime you pulled up that blog, it was there. Well I like this one MUCH better because I can email myself the entry I want to save and file it in my personal folders. LOVE THIS!!!
3. When you open up the home page you get a "preview" of what's new....
4. If you put your blogs into folders, you can click the name of the folder and scroll through it to see what has been updated. Now I read a lot of blogs. I don't comment on all of them unless I just feel compelled, but this way, you can "SEE" what is there, and click it and comment on it if you so choose!
5. I just like it! ROFLOL!!

I was scrapping last night (YES STILL, lol, I will post all of those tomorrow) and while I was scrapping...Asia was asleep lol

Yeah, she is a cutie!!!

I went downstairs to print some pictures, and came back to this:

Yeah, I guess my laptop was the perfect place to take a bath! LOL

My mom went to hancock without me on Sunday and she missed me so much, she bought me some fabric:

To make something for the girls! It's corduroy but it has a little stretch to it. LOL, Jaelyn said she wants a pair of "skinny" pants with a cuff....oooooooook. :-)

Alright guys that's it! Have a great day!
Toodles!

TGIF!

I had this really nice entry planned out...but that was all before I spent THREE HOURS registering my oldest for school, leaving the middle school with only TEN minutes to spare before rushing over to the elementary school to register Kayla. Nice. Can you say TIRED??? lol

I did not get a chance to get a pic of the ballet tee, but it's done. Erica can vouch for me lol, Stacey I will send you a pic lol. First....this is a top down, and I did try it on after I did the bind off for the sleeves. It was FINE...don't know what happened but when I finished and put it on, they sleeves were WAY too tight. Like seriously cut the circulation off on my arms too tight. I thought it would loosen up after blocking...not so much. I am going to rip back and re- do it over the weekend so my next update will include a picture of me wearing it....I will do the specs after I finish it..again. But I will say it only took a total of about 5 1/2 hours to knit. QUICK and easy....this time I won't bind off so tight for the sleeves....I have no clue what I did. And I have a case of the "cast-on's" lol. I started on a gift project for Christmas so that is exciting!!  YAY! I'm about to order some new yarn for my next project...tee hee....will update you on that later!! :-)

I went to hancock with my mom and got this BEAUTIFUL fabric....It's 100% silk. Anyone have any pattern suggestions? I want the fabric to do all the talking...so thanks in advance for any suggestions....

This is the exact color of it. It's BEAUTIFUL. It has  a golden undertone. This is going to look fantastic with either a chocolate skirt or pants...More than likely some wide leg pants...

Well guys, that is IT! Done. I am BEAT. TIRED. WORN OUT. LOL I have a couple of recipes that I am going to try over the weekend, so if they are a hit...I will post them!

Toodles!
Have a great weekend!!!!!

Scrapping, Sewing, AND Knitting OH MY...This may very well be the longest post ever.

Click the link to listen to the song...ok....what were you doing when THIS came out??? LOL... Moving on...

Download rb_guy_teddys_jam_original1.mp3

So I promised today I would show some scrapping, and knitting content....well here it is!

I realized I had a few LO's I never shared because I entered them into a contest.....well I didn't win lol, so here they are...these are from last year and one from the other day....

This is my favorite LO. You can click the pictures to make them bigger.

And the journaling: (IT'S LONG)

July 15, 2003

A day I won’t forget anytime soon. My family and I were about to leave the house, literally walking out of the door when I got “the call.” My Aunt was calling to see if I was on my way to the hospital. The hospital? For what. Her response, “no one has called you?” called me for what? Then she told me that my dad had been in a really bad accident on his motorcycle. Time seemed to stand still. Everyone knows that I am a big huge daddy’s girl. BIG TIME. I was so nervous I could hardly explain to my husband what was going on. We got to the hospital as quick as we could. When I got there, all of the family was there. Everyone except my mom. At this point, I still didn’t know what happened, or what my dad’s condition was. I went to the emergency room and gave them my dad’s name and let them know that I was his daughter. I was the first one back to see him. I was NOT prepared when I saw him. Mind you, I STILL didn’t know what happened. I walked into the room where they had him and it took all my power not to cry. He was hooked up to all kinds of tubes, and had pins and bottles sticking out of his legs. He was really groggy, but he saw me when I came in. He was lying on a table, not even a bed at this point, and he looked up at me and started to cry. This coming from a man who I have only seen cry ONCE in my entire life. At this point I broke down. He asked for my mom and I told him she hadn’t made it yet. I stayed until the doctors told me I had to leave out. I went back outside and just completely lost it. I am a very emotional person anyway, but to see my dad, laying there helpless, and I STILL didn’t know what happened. It was just overwhelming. My mom arrived as I was getting myself together and she asked me how he looked. Apparently, my dad was coming home from work, and there was a chain reaction on the interstate, and a car hit him, knocked him off his bike and ran over him. He was crushed from the pelvic bone down. He was really broken up. I told her in hopes that she would prepare herself to see him. A few months before this happened; my dad had a bunch of things happen to him. He was in his car, and hit by a train, car totaled, dad walked away without a scratch. He is a mechanic by trade, and he had someone break into his shop and steal all his tools. A lifetime worth of tools. Then the motorcycle accident. My dad has always been a good man. But after the accident, I could see that he was more appreciative. He didn’t take the small things for granted. I can remember when he came home from the hospital. It was a VERY tiring time for everyone. I remember my mom being so tired. I am glad I have this picture of her sleeping by his side. We had to put a hospital bed in one of the bedrooms, and my mom was sitting there with him and fell asleep on the sofa. My mom went back to work, and between the two of us, we took care of him. I had to give him blood thinner shots three times a day. Mom was scared to do it. He was non-weight bearing (he was on bed rest) for a long time. I can’t even remember when he started walking on his own, but I do remember the first time he was able to sit in bath water. Something a lot of us take for granted. I know I did. He cried. He was so happy to be able to “sit” in water and take a bath instead of sponging off on the bed. Dad really couldn’t do a lot for himself. If he needed something, someone had to get it. If he went to the restroom, I had to help, he didn’t want me to, but I would do anything to help my dad. ANYTHING. He was soon able to move from the bed to the wheelchair, but still not able to stand. It was hard for him to go through. I remember seeing the frustration on his face. I remember hearing it in his voice. My dad has ALWAYS been an active man. Often working from sun up to sun down, so this was very different for him. But the entire time, he was surrounded by family. He will probably be upset with me for saying this, but he cried a lot. He was very thankful to have a family that would take care of him. A family that did whatever he needed to make sure he had what he needed. I spent a LOT of time at my mom’s house. It was hard taking care of two homes, but it was SO worth it. I thank God that I have a husband that understands my need to help out my parents. It was hard explaining to my kids why AC (sorry, don’t call him granddad, lol) couldn’t get up and play with them. But they took care of him too. My son would rub his feet so softly, and the girls would help take off his socks. Still, three years later, he had another surgery, to help with some of the pain he was having. This surgery was done on

July 17, 2006

. Today, he is doing FANTASTIC. He is walking on his own. Driving, lol, taking showers, working on cars, and just leading a very normal life! A couple of weeks ago, he bought my son a 4-wheeler

lol, I guess he wants to ride with him, and just takes time out to enjoy life. He doesn’t work NEARLY as much as he used to but still manages to stay pretty busy. I love my dad, oh and if you are wondering he sold both motorcycles while he was in the hospital, and bought a Corvette he couldn’t even drive off the lot! LOL. Everyday, not only me, but my family, celebrate the life of my dad.

That was almost one year ago today. My dad is still doing well. I've learned so much from this man. And its coming up on four years since his accident. This Sunday actually.....

Ok, moving on lol

One of the hubby......

One of Jaelyn

One of Aj

 

And I this one from a couple of days ago.

Now I guess up until this point I have been in total denial about why I don't scrapbook as much as I used to.  I have given every excuse in the book but until now, like right the second typing this, and remembering these LO's, what they mean to me, and  why I did them, I remember why I slacked off.   I let some "people" get under my skin. I started scrapping to capture my families memories, not to make friends, or be a part of the "group". I "HAVE" made a lot of friends through this hobby, but, well you get what I am saying. WOW. I did realize that:

Some people do things because it "looks good" to everyone looking in, but if you can see FROM the inside, you see what is really going on.

I won't let another person hinder my creativity. To each his own.

LOL..MOVING ON...

My husband is the greatest...seriously. I was telling Robin the other day, that it is the LITTLE things that matter. When I sent my IPOD back to APPLE, I was on their site and Tony saw the new shuffles....he said he liked the way they "clipped" to you and he wouldn't loose it at work..hmmm, I asked casually which one he liked and he said the green one...okay...done.

It came in the mail Tuesday. He was happy and very surprised lol, he spent a LONG time on Itunes that night! Now, if you know anything about us, we LOVE HBCU (Historically Black College University) Bands. ESPECIALLY Tony.We were both in the band, but he is just addicted lol. He saw they had "gear"....let me introduce you to his new t-shirt...

His came in the mail today. AND They included a DVD of some band clips from last year! So he is a HAPPY camper right about now. Surround sound and all lol.

NEXT...told you this post was long! LOL

I've been doing some sewing!!! I was working on Butterick 5029 and I got up to get some water....came back to this:

I wasn't gone THAT long, but Asia was too comfy...

She also did some reading....

Yeah, she was good and comfy...she likes to keep me company!! I also got some reading time in....

Easy Guide to sewing Linings is WONDERFUL!!! Ann did a write up on the Be Sew Stylish Blog and listed her top ten books. I have quite a few of these in my collection! And a few more that I have ordered but haven't arrived yet!! Glad to know I'm on the right track!

I also learned how to do an overlock blind hem, but more on that later!

I am MOST proud of this project (I'll show more later)

Butterick 4978

The actual dress has been complete for a good while now, but I could NOT get the zipper in right. I have never had trouble with an invisible zipper. But this time it didn't work. I took it to my mom so she could put it in for me..it sat at her house for weeks, then she said she wouldn't do it. I would never learn if I didn't do it myself. WELL! After I put it in and it STILL wasn't right...spent some time with my seam ripper and Erica told me to use a glue stick to put it into place. Holy mother of all things wonderful. Worked like a CHARM and did NOT harm my fabric! So thankful for people who share from their "heart" and aren't seeking any type of praise. Just real, down to earth....

And last but not least...Two Knitting FO's....sorry not on the models yet!!!

Kidlet Tank

First Tank

Date Started: June 28

Date Finished: June 29

Second Tank

Date Started: July 3

Date Finished: July 4

Yarn:   Bernat Cottontots Variegated Yarn

One Ball each solid color, One ball of the  green and yellow for Kayla, and two balls of the green and purple for Jaelyn.

And that's a wrap! Have a great weekend!

Toodles!!!!

The weekend wrap-up....

Let's begin shall we?

Friday:
We had cake....no idea why the kids wanted the fishing cake...Tony does NOT fish...but that is what they wanted lol

Took hubby HERE  for his B'day dinner....which was SUPPOSED to be a total suprise, but ummm, I had to have someone's head for leaking the info...you think if you got a free dinner you'd keep your mouth shut...not so much! LOL The food here is wonderful!!! I had a chilean sea bass, over a bed of garlic mashed potatoes...presentation is everything....

It was so wondeful. Like seriously wonderful. If you have one in your area....check them out!

Here is one pic that we got as we were going in. 

Here is one of his gifts, lol...Cheryl got to see the unveiling of this...and Sydney loved it too! LOL

and a couple of him "in action" lol

Yeah...fun stuff!!! He is a true fan lol! This thing sounds JUST like the one in the movies....WONDERFUL! lol

Saturday, we took Asia for her first visit to the vet. The kids felt SO sorry for her because she had to get shots....

That is my mom's bag for her cat...I borrowed it...I need to take it back over there! LOL

We went to the library...Kayla got her first library card....and she put it to work!

She loves Junie B. Jones, and I think she has now read all of them!!!

Aj played on the computer at the library...

But he did end up with a couple of books:

Yes only two. LOL

Then there was Jaelyn:

she had the most fun I think...her books:

She wants some new material...any suggestions? Kristie??

And I finished the Kidlet Tank Friday:

I will take a picture of Kayla with it on this week. Jaelyn's is on the needles.

I did a good bit of it while I was in the car stuck in traffic!!!!

I have said it before, I will say it again...I HATE I-65!!! I hardly EVER travel it, and when I do, this is what happens! UGH! lol

I am still up right now, got a good bit of sewing done. Got to talk to my girl Cee....Trying to finish up some of my projects so I can start on the girls back to school stuff. Finished cutting out some stuff for Tony and Aj...that will be coming up soon. Tony wants me to knit him a sweater....umm, no. I have a couple back issues of IK and just scored some more..woo hoo, he saw me looking in it and he likes one of the sweaters...I told him if I knit him one, it would curse our relationship...Tee hee...I'll get him a sweater from his favorite store...Polo! Tee hee, maybe not, we will see...

That is it guys. I did say that there would not be an Inspirational Wednesday post, but it will be up. It will only be show notes though. I interviewed Joan McGowan - Michael, author of Knitting Lingerie Style. It was a fun interview, and some of the things she said, literally left me speechless! lol

WHY IS IT JULY??? This year is ZIPPING BY!!!!!!

Toodles!!!!

And then there was Monday......

Weekend recap......lol

Loved on the Asia....

This little kitty, has stolen my heart! lol. It was hard not to hold her ALL day long!!!!

I was SUPPOSED to sew a few dresses, but the new kitty changed all that lol, the kids and I played with her all day on Saturday and Sunday. I did however get all my fabric cut out....

I cut patterns one day, cut fabric the next day, then sew the following. I like to sit down and just sew. This helps me balance my time better when I do this. I can cut patterns out in the bedroom while watching tv and spending time with the hubby....cut out fabric in my "craft" room while Kayla reads to me, Aj sits on the floor and colors, or gets into stuff, and then both girls practice piano. It's all about finding balance when you have 3 kids, a hubby, a job, several hobbies, and a new kitty! tee hee

I went to hancock with my mom, like I do EVERY Sunday. I came back with

for

Butterick 4383

Let me tell you, this fabric is SO soft. My mom and I were literally fighting over the bolt lol, she got to the table first and got her some for some PJ pants.....and there was JUST enough left for me to get some for my girls. She got off lucky lol

I got this:

for

Simplicity 4074. I'm going to make the red skirt, wrap top version. I am either really feeling "browns" or really ready for fall sewing. Probably both! LOL.

Operation "Back To School Wardrobe" has offically started. lol

First up we have:

Butterick 4847

Now Jaelyn has informed me that she want's ALL of the views. Ooooooooooookay.

Next we have :

Butterick 4970

The girls love this pattern. I mean seriously. They are going over color combo's lol.

Thanks to Toya for posting this picture of the Kidlet Tank.

My girls love this better than Monica! Woo hoo!!
For Jaelyn:

and for Kayla

Im using Bernat Cottontots Variegated Yarn that the pattern calls for. I'll only need one ball in each color woo hoo! Three bucks each! I can't find the variegated here, but I've seen the solid. So I ordered this. I will work on these while I work on Nerissa. I will show a progress shot tomorrow. I had to start over because I kinda forgot to change to the larger needles when I started the lace pattern lol. It's looking good now! I'm also trying to find my first full size sweater for the fall. I kinda think I want it to be the bluebell boatneck from fitted knits. But we will see.

I have to say a super duper thanks to Michelle. I got my mail Saturday....I didn't order anything, well I did, but its not going to be here this quick...opened up the envelope:

This is the SOFTEST yarn.....I am SO into the browns right now....this is PERFECT! Thanks Michelle!!!

And a special thanks to Lisa! I got this in the mail from her:

I LOVE handmade cards. I appreciate all the effort that goes into them because I make them too! This made my day!!!  Thanks again Lisa!

Jaelyn leaves today going to camp for FIVE DAYS! She will NOT come home...FOR FIVE DAYS!!! I don't know if I need to celebrate or cry! LOL. I had FUN when I went to summer camp! I'm sure she will have a ball. Here hair is all braided up and her bags packed....WAIT until you see what she took! ROFLOL!!

Tony's birthday is Friday....he has already started celebrating! I have a HUGE surprise for him!! I can't WAIT!!! He has had this "one" thing on his wish list FOREVER!!! I GOT IT FOR HIM!!!!!!! Tee hee, it's hiding out at a secret place at my moms house. Somewhere neither he, nor my dad will EVER look! I have a huge night planned for him Friday and Saturday we will still be celebrating, and we will close out the celebration on Sunday. This will be a BUSY week!

Last week, the kids wanted to make a chocolate cake for Tony for Fathers day. We used THIS RECIPE. OMG! It lasted two days. Yesterday the kids asked for brownies. We made them using THIS RECIPE. OMG. They are SO good. I mean seriously. I've been craving banana pudding.....I've been baking a lot lol...need to put a stop to that

Tomorrow on Real Life: Live and Unscripted- Digital camera and kids.....what 5 yr olds take pictures of and how 7 year olds take self portraits. Stay tuned!

Toodles!

When inspiration hits.....GO WITH IT!

WOO HOO!!!! It's Friday baby!!! Ok, moving on to the inspiration!! Tee hee

I have had this picture in a file I keep called "sewing inspiration" for I don't know how long....I was looking through it yesterday and wham....it just jumped out at me lol....

It's nothing major. I see a garment I like, that I may try and find a pattern for.... put it on a word doc, and save it. I was looking at eyelet fabric at Gorgeous Things because it's on sale. I LOVE

and

Now......I don't really want two garments out of the same fabric..ya know...you can do it with like pants or something....but umm, I dont' THINK I would do like two skirts...the fabric is too distinctive....so...going through my pattern stash....I found this...well not FOUND because I knew it was there...I touched it a couple of days ago lol

can you see where this is going??? LOL I ordered both fabrics yesterday....I'm going to make the straps and skirt in one color (black) and the bodice in another(white). I will line it with a cotton batiste. I think it will be cute. I can not WAIT until my fabric gets here!!!

ME ON KNITTING....ok, so my dillema with my BSCF and what to knit. I have been going through my Rowan books (FANTASTIC EYE CANDY LOL) anyway....I ran across this one....Nerissa

Now I've seen it before, but you  know how it is when you look at something the first time...you just kinda look over it.....

Then I happened across THIS BLOG I think it looks FANTASTIC on her, and it will look great in red and on me!!!! I actually love the color she used, but I already have a green gable in that color! Tee hee So I am excited again!!! Summertime Tunic AKA COCO might end up in a bag somewhere...probably until I see another one finished, then I'm inspired again lol.

I casted on last night and did the first 8 rows!! I am very happy and excited about it! And it didn't take long either!!! lol I cut out a few patterns last night, and tonight I will cut the fabric. I HATE cutting out patterns. So I do them while watching TV or something. I took one to work yesterday and cut it out on my lunch lol....hey, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!! LOL

Alright.....that's it guys! Have a great weekend! I have NOTHING planned....so I feel some crafty goodness coming!!!

Toodles!

I need to knit....seriously....

But I want to sew.....can you see my dilema???LOL.... I have three skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in red. I need a pattern. What I thought I wanted to make, is not going to happen because I don't have enough yarn, and I don't want to buy any more. I do NOT want anything that is ALL Stst. Please don't kill me like that. Any suggestions are welcomed. I need to use it or sell it lol. I would much rather use it. I like the color lol.

I am still stuck on baby stuff. I bought Knitters Almanac for the sole purpose of getting the February sweater pattern. Here are some of my FAVORITE finished ones that I have seen.....

From Brooklyn Tweed (love this dude, no really I do lol) He loves photography AND knitting....the best of both worlds lol.

From Yarn Bee

From Purly Victorious

And if that isn't enough for you to look at.....try here Zimmermania. Yep...that's a lotta February Baby Sweaters!

I have really been eyeballing this top from Rowan.

Elspeth

They used Rowan Calmer.

I am FEELING THE CHOCOLATE OKAY!?!? At least its not black! LOL I like the color they did it in. I kinda wonder if the brown will be too dark for the design...any thoughts?

I am really ready to start knitting for the fall/winter. I know it's not even the first day of summer yet, oh wait...that's today right? But anyway....I have yet to knit a "full" size sweater and I don't know how long it's going to take me, so I need to start early.....right? lol I should have my Interweave Knits...ANY DAY NOW....so hopefully I will have some good fall inspiration!

I seriously need to finish my "other" brown garmet "Coco" but, I just walk past her and touch something else...like my hat. I haven't had a chance to work on it, because I have been sewing but I will finish it this weekend. I have NO mojo for COCO and I seriously do NOT want to knit Monica lol. I'm havine issues with Stst....its just boring. Now a good mindless knit is a good thing, but it gets boring so easy. Ugh.

Ok, enough rambling...ya'll have a good day!

Toodles!

Lights....Camera......Action.....

LONG POST! You have been warned! LOL

FIRST:

I will be teaching my next scrapbooking class at Scrap Chic Boutique in Decatur, Ga! Here is a VERY QUICK PROMO:

The official first day of summer is almost here and if you are anything like me, I bet you still have tons of photos from last summer just waiting to be scrapped!!!

Wouldn't it be nice if you could create and complete an album with your favorite memories from last year? Then join me as we create a clear mini album for just that! Take a peek!

Products used for this album are for demo purposes only and are subject to change. Dates to be announced soon! Keep your eye on the Scrap Chic Boutique Blog and my blog for more details. But before I go...how about a quick chuckle....

<------what do you see? lol....yeah, I didn't see it either...lol, not until someone was nice enough to tell me I spelled "REMEMBER" wrong lol, yep...human error lol

NEXT!!!!!!!!!

I have a HUGE day tomorrow. I am going to be shooting my first pageant. I am SOOOOO excited. I mean seriously. I can HARDLY wait. All my stuff is packed up and ready to go!!!

Camera: CHECK

Lights: CHECK

Portable printer & Paper: CHECK

Backdrop & Stand: CHECK

Order Forms: CHECK

Receipt Book: CHECK

Samples: CHECK

Batteries: CHECK

Extra: Camera, memory cards, and batteries: CHECK

Husband to drive, take orders and help me set up: CHECK

Can you think of anything I forgot? lol

Gotta say thanks to the hubster for helping me. Being there when I whined because the white balance with my lights was pissing me off lol and  when I just needed someone to talk to, listening and being interested when the technical terms of what I was doing when completely over his head, and for the funding he provided.tee hee.... Not to forget Ronalyn and Lu, these are my photography go to girls. They have been doing this for a LOT longer than me. I respect them as women, mothers, wives, and I respect their work!! I appreciate their feed back when it comes to my images. They both have a wonderful eye, and they help me be better!!! That means a ton. But thanks to them for answering all my freaking questions, a gazillion emails, helping me proof all my forms, helping me with my pricing,(this is my first time doing package pricing, so I had to make sure I was good to go!) and helping me decide what to wear! lol I knew what NOT to wear, so that was a start. LOL

I've been looking forward to this day for a long time....well not that long, just since I was contacted about doing it. So there. I told you, big stuff going on with my photography business....this is one thing...more later...tee hee

In other news....more progress on "COCO" lol. I'm ready to shape the armholes. Its big. I'm going to finish it, but it's coming out a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I mean I know it's not supposed to "fit" but umm. We will see. 

I worked for a couple hours on my next baby hat so I am HOPING to show two FO's on Monday.

Enjoy one of my favorite "crunk" songs lol. Mind you, because of something ZANETE sent me, I have been anti-Beyonce. But I was working on my website last night, and playing this, and now it's stuck lol, you should have seen me in the chair bouncing lol. Have a great weekend guys! Toodles! **Get me bodied, by Beyonce**

Just find something to wear!!!

OMG. My 11 year old, is going to make me age, ENTIRELY too early....this child....Lord have mercy on her soul....wants to be tack sharp, to go TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB....to run around and play and swim twice a day....there is NO need for you to even WANT to wear, your jersey guachos, your graduation dress, your long baby blue linen dress, or your denim espadrilles.....COME ON. *ugh* So of course my question was "what's his name". Lesson ONE: Dress up because YOU want to. NOT to impress someone. Come on...Been there done that......Oh, and she has a new hobby....how many of you remember making these????

While on the subject of clothing.....this year, it is my PLAN to make a lot of the girls back to school stuff. I will still buy a lot, well not a lot, but you get the idea. So this should be fun. We have already been looking at patterns online (funny stuff) and will start to shop for fabric at the end of june. We will see how this goes.

I have a busy weekend coming up (more on that later) but right now, on my cutting table I have:

I'm going to make the white version, in chocolate....lol

 

Im making the green version in red jersey.....

And this one in black and white jersey. It's almost finished. I HOPE I can have it done by Monday...

I have some baby blue linen, that I bought for another dress, that I really want to use for this dress....the long green one....hmmmmmm....Im looking at possible things for fall. I am preparing myself to make my first jacket and coat. I also want to make the girls, MAYBE even AJ a transition jacket for school....you know....something for them to wear when it starts cooling off.....we will see.....

PODCAST: Thanks to everyone that sent me an email about the podcast. I am glad you all are enjoying it. You guys have no idea how much Toya and I enjoy this. Someone asked how we come up with the questions....Toya comes up with most of them, and I kinda feed off of her. I want to try something different this time. In a couple of weeks I will be recording with Joan McGoan-Michael who is also the author of Knitting Lingerie Style. If you have a question you want to ask, or something you want to know email me and put Lingerie Style in the subject line. If you would like to leave your name, do so, and I will ask her what you all want to know. Sound fair? Cool...

By way of knitting, here is a progress shot of "COCO", I had to give her a name...Toya said so lol...I will do ten rows a day. Good Lord....that's a lot. I just want this FINISHED. I will ATTEMPT and post another pic tomorrow....we will see lol....

Here is my next hat in progress......I should be done with this soon...like tomorrow? lol...j/k!

Alright, that is it...I'm really lovin this song right now.....

Toodles!

TGIF BABY!

And I don't have to work today! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!

Wow, this has been a record week hasn't it? Posting everyday?! lol Did I mess you up Stacey? lol. Speaking of Stacey....me, Stacey and Erica had a confrence IM yesterday lol, it was so fun. Funny what you can do when everyone brain storms lol...I did magic loop...again lol, LOVING IT! lol

Like my song? lol....Adrienne loves Outkast lol...something about music in the south!

How about some pictures....

I took this one of Kayla in the church before Aj's graduation. I really like this pic....it is a little softer than I normally like (hate soft photos that are supposed to be sharp) but I didn't want to get rid of it. lol. I did get another one once I adjusted my settings but I really like this one better than the one that has the "correct" exposure. Go figure lol

Tony took this one on auto WITH flash..yucko lol, BUT remember all that nice, long straight, pretty hair from Saturday??? Well this is how it looks now lol, this was Tuesday, and yes she wore her dress again lol, she loves it.

You can always tell when there is a pattern sale!!! And this isn't even all of it lol. Jaelyn took the guide sheet from the apron pattern last night and was reading over it. This is going to be so interesting. She now wants to make Kayla one too.....two aprons in one weekend....we will see! lol

Since I have no mojo at all, whatsoever, to work on Summertime Tunic, I went and got this yesterday....yep...yumminess indeed....sooooo soft!!!!

I ordered this yarn, with one project in mind, then once it got here, I changed my mind lol....so me, the mocha microspun, and size 15 needles are going to get to know each other VERY, VERY well......

And for all you photographers out there....(Ronalyn, lol) big things are in the works for me with my photography. Doors are opening that I never thought possible. And I know more is on the way!

Have a great weekend guys!!!

**ETA, why are my songs only 30seconds long?**

Toodles!

So much to say today.....lol

Tuesday night, my son...my baby boy, my husbands name sake, better known to you all as "AJ" had his Graduation. Now, I took a ton of pictures, more of which you will probably see later, this is my all time favorite, well these are for right now lol......

<--------mommy lost it right here lol

<-----------can you see how proud he looks???

<-------and here, he was SO happy about his awards!

<-------his bestest friend Bradley. You should hear them talking on the phone! lol

I was doing SO good. UNTIL.....they had the kids take a carnation to their mom....and after that, the kids went to the back to put on their cap and gown....while they were changing, they put on a slide show for the year.....and played the "theme song" from Toy Story...You've got a friend in me. Not ONE mom had a dry eye. Including me. I bawled. My baby is growing up!!! Such a bitter sweet moment! No more paying day care! WOO HOOO, but my son will now be in "big school". Ok, moving on before I cry ONCE more...

In other news, I was showing hubby Erica's blog, so he could see the apron her daugher made...GUESS who walks in my bedroom! Yep, that would be Little Miss Jaelyn. Ohhhhh, mommy, will you show me how to make one too!?!?? Please!!? I saw your hancock paper by your machine and the simplicity patterns will only be a dollar tomorrow I can buy my own pattern and we are going on the fabric field trip with Grandma Saturday(anytime we go ANYWHERE with my mom that requires one driving for MORE than 45 minutes, it's called a field trip lol) and I can buy my own fabric with my own money, please mommy. All said without her taking ONE breath. NOT ONE ok?  So I looked at Tony and he just shook his head....at this time the phone rings...TALK about perfect timing. It was Grandma, so Jaelyn tells Grandma how one of mommy's friends on the computer let her little girl make an apron and she is only 9 and I'm 11 and I know I can do it. So thanks Erica for inspiring my child! lol, guess you know what "I" will be doing this weekend! lol

How about some knitting content? I am working  on the Summertime Tunic, and I HOPE to have it finished, over and done with (is that how it goes Bev?) by Tuesday. I HOPE. I have no mojo for it.I want it finished lol. If nothing comes up lol. Then I will pick up Monica and finish those for my girls. I am going to put knitting for me down and start working on a couple of other knitting projects. Should be fun! My good friend Cassandra FINALLY got her blog on blogspot! tee hee, ya'll go check her out and tell her hello! lol, Cee, it's your turn now girl.....tee hee

And to make this post EVEN longer, lol I was looking at a couple of magazines, and I kept seeing stuff I would like, so my search is now on to find patterns to replicate these delicious designs. 

I love this dress. Simple, yet effective. Similar to Simplicity 3759

I love this dress too! lol Another simple one, but will work wonderfully on a hot summer day...... Butterick 5046

Ok, now  I just ADORE the bottom of this skirt. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, that fabric! I don't know if it is classified as fabric or "lace" but I love it and will be on the hunt for something similar this weekend.

Umm, hello! Love these! I mean, what's NOT to love?

The same pants in a different color.

LOVING this polka dot. You will see this fabric again....very...VERY soon....tee hee lol.NOT the dress, but the fabric! lol

How freakin cute is this top? I have a pattern similar to this already...hmmmmmmm, Butterick 4685 View D but could I just move the elastic up and make the sleeves fuller? Hmm, any suggestions?

Who doesn't like a long, simple white dress? I know I love it! I have a baby blue one similar to this, but I still like it! lol

I LOVE the details on this top. Hancock has some fabric VERY similar to this (the pleated look) but NOT in this color. Hmmmm, and of course I love the lace on it. Very, very, pretty. Not making this one, I just like it..hmm, I might treat myself and buy it....lol

Well that is IT for me! Kayla goes to see the surgeon tomorrow, so keep us in your thoughts and prayers! He has to look at her once more before he decides when to do the surgery.

Toodles!

"Fever"

Friday night I was talking to Zanete, and every now and then...mainly every night when I talk to Zanete, one thing will lead to another and some kinda way we end up talking about music. Well, Friday night, I was SO stuck on this song! I SWEAR it gave Aj a fever, because we ended up going to the ER this morning. His temp was....but it would NOT break!

And I could NOT find the full song on imeem. I've been using them to put songs on here since I started putting songs on my blog foreverago. Not so much today lol. So here is a snippet! lol I could have played the Beyonce verison, but I like Peggy Lee's better lol

But I PROMISE you after I said, "I'm gonna make a cake" he puked, broke out in a sweat. And his fever broke. That was this evening.....I should have made the cake on Saturday. It would have saved us a trip to the ER lol...have some?

Simple but effective lol...

Ok, so back to last week, since I haven't updated since Wedndesday. Why you ask? Welllll......the girls are in summer camp and they swim everyday....can you see where I am going with this. Yes I have to wash their hair every day. This is no small task. When I did their hair on Saturday, I decided to take pics....How about Jaelyn first....Now Jaelyn has a perm, and she normally gets her hair done everty two weeks. This was NOT her week to get her hair done.Humph. Figures lol.....

This is Jaelyn after a shampoo and drying.....

After much, much flat ironing lol...I will never tell how much time passed between these two photos lol....

and now Kayla....

After a shampoo...now watch it because her hair grows like a chia-pet.....

Told you....the stuff is massive lol...

and finished lol

and she HAD to pose....

LOL, don't ask lol...

While on the subject of Kayla.....I had to take a pic of her using my earpiece for the first time lol

Isn't she cute? LOL

Ok...sewing projects...when I wasn't Aj's personal pillow, I did manage to get ONE thing done. I made Butterick 4906 for Kayla. She wore it to church Sunday Morning, and was as proud as a peacock. LOL, made me feel good. *sniff-sniff* I heard she got lots of compliments on it and had no problem telling everyone that her mommy made it for her! I was stuck at home with a sick one, so I could not go..boo hoo....

I think it came out really cute!

DETAILS:

Size 7

Fabric: Challis

Lining: I used the same fabric for the lining.

I double stitched all the seams, because, Kayla is VERY rough, and has been known to tear up a dress. EASY. lol.

Ok, so how about some knitting content? I got my yarn for Leftovers . Yum...

I'm still waiting on a couple of other orders...hmm, gotta check on that.....

I got some new books.....

I have big plans for the Itty Bitty Hats, but more on that later....tee hee lol, and NO I am NOT pregnant. Just thought I would clear that up.....

My mom went to hancock and picked this up for me...

Now, I have a thimble for when I knit, but it's leather. While it is soft, and flexable, it makes my finger sweat. But this...omg. When hancock has their big 1/2 notions sale, I will get ALL of these.

Here is a pic of it on my finger. Now I only knit like four rows with this...it is adhesive backed, so it picked up the color of the yarn on the edges of it. It's not dirty lol, but its really cool. I washed my hands with it on, and it stayed put. Not sure how many times you could do that, but it did really well with me. I was even able to put it back on the little sheet. Nice!

I got a glorious box of candles from Eve .

I love them. My house smelled like candy!! Thanks girl!

And lastly, I had a photoshoot....SO.MUCH.FUN. Seriously! But I think typepad has all the pics it can handle for right now, and I am pooped lol, so I'll show more tomorrow!

**ETA...I need some Photo shop help....I'm trying to get all my actions and brushes from CS to CS2...I THOUGHT I knew what I was doing but umm, obviously not. Can anyone help? TIA**

Toodles

Well hellllooooo there!

So how was your exteneded weekend? Mine was great. Full of crafty goodness. But my days are off lol, I woke up this morning thinking it was Sunday! LOL

How about a quick recap? lol

I changed my banner...obviously lol. I wanted to include a little bit of "me" in it this time lol, so we went with my yarn lol, my camera lens, my seam ripper (can't live without this thing), my tape measure, and some CS! So there ya have it! LOL. It will be like that for a WHILE. LOL.

Moving on.........LOL

I got a LOT of sewing done!

A RARE picture of Jaelyn taking a nap on ummm, Saturday I think lol, she hardly EVER naps!! But you would have thought it was National Scrapbook Day at my house. The kids stayed up all night on Friday AND Saturday scrapping. I will show their LO's later lol. I think they had about 20 each lol

Ahhh, nothing like a trip to Sams Club lol. And this isn't even all of it lol.

I put down Rusted Root. The lace pattern is messing with me lol, so I am using some old yarn to practice the pattern, then I will start again. So I started on Summertime Tunic Friday on a nice little car drive (more on that later) and this was my progress then. I am now about 30% of the way through it now lol.

HOLY STITCHMARKERS BATMAN! I made a TON of stitchmarkers!! Someone will get some of these....very, very soon!!!! lol

Hubby was chillen out...while.....

Patrick took over the grill. Not sure how that happened lol...

And some goodness....we had a LOT of food lol

And yes my dears, I scrapped. This one is for the SCRAPALONG. My scanner has died. So I will be taking pics until I get a new one. I have been lusting after the 12x12 one for a while now...hmmm lol

I really like the way this one came out. And I had fun! LOL

A close up on the stars...lol, kinda feelin the stars lately lol

I like this one too! LOL

And that is IT you guys! I will have a super massive update on Wednesday. I have really been "INSPIRED". Don't forget to tune in to INSPIRATIONAL WEDNESDAY. It's a good one!!

Toodles!

TGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGIF!!

I am So happy it's Friday!!!  Yesterday Tony took all three of the kids to the dentist to get their teeth cleaned....Aj could NOT stop smiling!!!!! Here is a picture from the LOST party....

You guys....if you don't have a yarn swift & ball winder and you plan on knitting for the next few years.....GET ONE.  I LOVE MY YARN SWIFT!!!!!!! I posted about mine a couple of weeks ago but I didn't try it until wednesday night. OMG. It paid for itself when I finished winding my hanked yarn. I had, I THINK,  20 hanks and I PROMISE you within 20 minutes, I was DONE with all of it!!! I then took some brown sheep cotton fleece and made a cake. OMG. I then started to cake all my yarn...nothing better than a center pull ball. loland the kids even liked it! tee hee, I let them help ONCE to get it out of the way lol

This is how it starts out.......

and on the winder........

and the kids, lol

and SOME of the final product.....SOME lol

In other news I FINALLY got gauge on Monica  using Elann Sonata and I LOVE this yarn!!!!! I am HOPING that this will be a quick knit, seeing as how I have to make TWO lol.I have accepted the fact that I am a tight knitter. While I have tried to loosen up, it just ain't happening lol. BUT, lol, I can now look at a pattern, see the suggested needle size, grab the size needle that I need, and start swatching. Gauge. Done. I haven't had to switch needles yet! lol so yay! Rusted Root is kicking my A$$. But I will not let the pattern outsmart ME! I am smarter than the pattern, or, I think I am anyway lol

How about this...just for you Erica, I FINALLY GOT MY CROCHET STITCH!!!!!!  OMG. you have NO idea how happy I was to finally get this! LOL. The POWER of online videos!!!!!!!!! I have no words right now. Jaelyn even did a crochet chain, and made a charm necklace...I'll show you guys that when she finishes putting the charms on it lol. So SOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN and I do mean soon. You will see the beginnings of a ripple blanket. Now, I have NOT figured out how to do the stitch for Tony's blanket...he just might be getting a soft wave blanket, in manly colors. ROFLOL! But I'm sure I'll get it!

Must add in here, yesterday I got a goodie box in the mail from Carla, what a sweet, sweet, thing...the kids looked at the book for the LONGEST last night! LOL Thank you so much....and check out the card....you KNOW I am going to totally steal this idea and make some of these right? Too cute! Thanks girl! :-)

What are your weekend plans?? Me? I want to knit, scrap, and sew. We will see how much I ACTUALLY get done. I do have an extra day....right? lol With kids involved....anything is bound to happen at any given time, but those are my "PLANS"...keyword....PLANS

Dang, this was a long post! LOL....

Have a good weekend guys. It's going to be a long one!!!

Inspirational Wednesday

Today, my inspiration is plain and simple....another finished object...Number #4 if you are counting and I hope to have #5 done very soon! As in Before June 1st!

I present to you....GREEN GABLE!

Details: 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Sprite

Size 8 and 6 Denise Needles

I have NO Idea how long it took me to complete, but I did write down the start date for Rusted Root.

I did make it a size smaller than my normal size, per suggestions from others that have made it and it's a perfect fit.

The top isn't actually this short. It looks shorter because I have on a long white tank, but I still like it! LOL

Be sure to check out the PODCAST. Fun stuff going on!!! Also don't forget about

Summertime Tunic KAL

Ebony Elite, A knitting group for women of color.

Inspirational Wednesday Scrapalong

Toodles! Happy IW!

Pinch, punch, captin crunch, I got something you can't touch....

or how about....

Bang, bang, choo-choo train, wind us up we'll do our thang.... no reese pieces, no buttercup, mess with me we'll mess you up....

OR....I know karate, I know kungfu, you mess with me we'll mess with you....

Can you TELL what I did last night? LOL

Knitting is "SO" on my mind lol

I took a power nap when I got home yesterday,  because hubby had cooked (TACO SALAD LOL, tee hee lol, gotta figure out how to overnight this to Toya lol) did the few dishes that were in the sink, finished the last load of laundry, and made the kids vaccume....ahhhh, nice...so when it was time to go to sleep, I couldn't.... so me, my mac, and knitty.com had a little party lol....I have added the following to my evergrowing binder of patterns....I think i Just want to buy more yarn....what do you think? lol

Bad Penny

(penny kinda reminds me of wicked...but without the pocket....what do you think?) But I love it...can't wait to make it!

Wicked

Bob, very nice, casual.......great top to dress up or down....

Tempting (haven't decided on this one yet, but its really cute.....even with the bow lol, so girly lol)

Leftovers (I LOVE the stripes in this! LOL, I don't have any left over yarn, but I sure can buy some! tee hee) What yarn would you suggest for this? The pattern calls for Phildar Legende  but I have no idea what that is and I can't find it. The gauge is 5 sts per inch. Im thinking cascasde 220 would work(even though I normally wouldn't use this, BUT it won't be against my skin....).....so many color options....lovin this!

Soleil (not like I need another tank, but this one is SO versatile!!) I even like the color! But it will look great alone or under a jacket....nice!

And guess what guys??? Im wearing my Green Gable today! I will post my pic tomorrow! Don't forget to check out Inspirational Wednesday tomorrow!!!

Hangovers are overated.....

......I tried to hang out with the grown folks Saturday night....and that is all I have to say about that lol.....

Friday my baby graduated. I am SUCH a proud mommy!!! She got some really outstanding awards, and one that she got, "SHE" was even surprised. She made a perfect score on a writing test, writing adaw, and she scored a four! YAY!!! lol, just a good, good day. BUSY lol, after the graduation we took her out to dinner and to the movies.We say Spiderman 3 and it was overrated. Too mushy for a "comic book film". We didnt' get home until TEN PM! Actually it was AFTER 10 lol.... how about a couple of pictures....

a class picture....

and mommy and "the graduate" lol

Also on Friday, I was reading through the newest issue of Essence and what did I see but this article....

now what does this mean??? Nothing but the very  FHI iron that was featured in the article, I "JUST" bought! Tee hee. Now this Iron, is the bomb ok? Seriously. Worth every dime. I don't have the pink one, but the black one is JUST as good....

I will be using this when I do my hair today...teee heee lol.....

Saturday I was able to meet up with Erica at Barnes & Noble......fun times!! We are both very excited about the response our Yahoo group, Ebony Elite has gotten. If you would like to sign up,  please click the button below. And we will get you hooked up! Speaking of "hook" lol, she showed me how to do a couple of crochet stitches....she has a picture floating around here somewhere lol......and here is the pic lol

Click to join ebonyelite

In other news, I did finish Green Gable, which was a very fun knit. I did the sleeves on circs instead of DPN's and I am in love. Very much so! Once I figured it out, I was GOOD TO GO! LOL,  and I started on Rusted Root, but you won't see those pics until Wednesday! LOL, NOTHING happened by way of sewing lol. I THOUGHT the patterns from THIS POST would inspire me to sew....umm, not so much. ALL I want to do is KNIT! But My mom did sew this weekend. SPEAKING of my mom...tee hee.... (im SO glad she doesn't read my blog lol), we were talking about something and one of the kids mentioned the cupid shuffle.....well, I took a pic of Donna (aka, my mom) doing the cupid shuffle. Mind you it's from my camera phone but its STILL funny! See....tee heee lol

It's EXTREMELY blurry lol, but they were on the part where is says....NOW KICK tee hee, that would explain all the movement....too funny, the baby was dancing too! LOL

In funny  news, Aj has had these pants since he was PROBABLY two or three. My mom bought them for him (it was a whole set, can NOT find the shirt) and they glow in the dark. HE LOVES THESE PANTS....the funny part....well you look...

still can't see it? LOL, well how about a closeup....

Yeah, now you see it lol...and he was ASHY! lol but he LOVES these things! LOL

I got my B&H summer catalog in the mail....I will leave it at that lol.

In  more "knitting" news, since that is all I want to do lately....I want to make Wicked I keep looking at it, and I do think that this will soon be added to my pattern collection!!  And because SOMEONE I know who shall remain nameless kept talking about this Ballet T-Shirt (scroll down) I really want to make one! LOL, and I ADORE the Intarsia Argyle Vest. Those of you that have tried Intarsia, would this one be a good beginner pattern???? I REALLY like this for the fall/winter. I can "SO" see this on me.

Alrighty guys, that is it for me! Have a great Monday!

So I'm having two Fridays............

Tee hee, so TGIF! Again lol.

Ok, first you guys, go check out scrapalong.blogspot.com I mean, seriously....get an invite and start posting. We are having a BLAST!

Second.... come and check out The Summer Time Tunic KAL we are getting ready to fire it up! Some people have already cast on! LOL, show offs! tee hee

Third....lol Erica and I are joining forces. We are trying to encourage other women of color to knit. So I will now introduce to you...

EBONY ELITE:
Women of Color, Knitting Together.

***You can click the link to go to the yahoo group.***

A month or so ago, I had a woman say to me, "I didn't know black people knit". Well. I was ummm, upset to say the least.  Knitting is NOT just a hobby for ONE race or religion. It's for all people. But how many times have you gone into a LYS and seen a black woman? It's NOT OFTEN. When I go, I am THE only one. I've only been ignored in ONE store here in town, so I don't even go  to that store. And no they were NOT busy the day I went...lol I did try and go back, to give them another chance, but I didn't even like the yarn selection lol. ANYWAY, What I want to do is encourage more black women to knit, maybe if they see other women doing it, they will want to try it to. KWIM? It's a great hobby and while it may not be for everyone, some may very well fall in love. I  know I did! And I certainly don't fit the "sterotypical" image of a knitter, which is complete BS by the way. So aside from all my rambling, if you are in my area, and a woman of color, feel free to email me or Erica and join up. We would LOVE to have a wonderful group of "Elite" women, to meet with from time to time, and maybe even go to one of our LYS on their knit night and show them that hey.....black women DO knit! So pass it on.....tell others! Yay lol

**ETA I HAVE HAD A TON OF REQUESTS, SO I AM GOING TO OPEN THIS GROUP TO ALL WOMEN OF COLOR.....NOT JUST WOMEN IN OUR AREA. I'VE BEEN AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER BUT WILL GET ALL THE INVITES APPROVED BEFORE TODAY IS OVER. THANKS GUYS!!!**

Click to join ebonyelite

And that is all lol. Have a great weekend guys!

TGIF! lol

Noo, you didn't read that wrong! LOL, today is my Friday! WOO HOO!!! Tomorrow Jaelyn graduates so mommy is taking the day off, from work AND the computer! LOL, breaks are wonderful!!!

Soooo what have I been doing????
KNITTING! LOL Next time you see Green Gable, it will be a FO!!!! YAY

In other "knitty" news, I got the yarn for my girls Monica.

The two pinks are for Kayla, and the purple and gold is Jaelyns. They were SO excited when I opened the box lol...ooooohhhhh mommy you got it lol

I have all kinds of projects lined up and I am past excited about it!! LOL, I am also picking out my knits for the fall lol. I am pouring through my Fitted Knits Book! LOVE THAT BOOK!!!! I think I just want to order some more yarn! LOL, LOVE getting stuff in the mail! tee hee

In other news  my girlie girl girl girl, girlie girl lol, V is expecting again! YAY congrats girl!! I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited for her! I am going to be an auntie again!! LOL...I can knit for a baby now! LOL, who was I talking to about the book of tiny hats? Amy, what is the name of that book??? LOL the hats in that book are ADORABLE!

I can now make stuff like:

and

I was JUST looking at this like the other day...JUST looking at it lol

omg....I have the fever!!!!!  I could go on and on lol....SO glad I'm not having the baby! LOL.....tee heee lol

In more other news, I am SO making three of these!

I got these images from THIS BLOG so I am not trying to take any kind of credit for them, but these are SO FREAKING CUTE! OMG! These are going to be ADORABLE on my girls.....and some other lucky little person lol who shall remain nameless because I "THINK" there mom reads my blog lol, can you say CHRISTMAS GIFT!?!? You can find the pattern HERE .

Is there anything else? LOL, I plan on doing some sewing this weekend. I cut out some patterns, and material so we will see how that goes! lol

LOST WAS FANTASTIC! Cheryl and I are going to have a LOST season finale at my house, so that should be fun. I get to have someone else to scream at the tv with me lol

Alright guys! Gotta finish getting dinner ready!

TOODLES!

Ummm, what day is it? LOL

Hope All you mothers out there had a very, VERY nice Mothers Day! Mine was very nice, but VERY busy!! Thanks for all the phone calls, and emails. You guys are really sweet. I am going to start tackling my email tomorrow....lol ok... How about a picture recap of the weekend? Because I am lazy and just too tired to think right now lol (Oh and Kayla has another dr appt on tomorrow evening......)

<---I felt like death warmed over when I got out of this thing...but I had FUN! LOL

<---my mother's day gifts...woo hoo......

One sick child,three photo shoots, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Good times......yay!

On  Friday I was the featured photographer at  an art gallery here. Space was limited, so I had to keep my display very small and was instructed to only bring the bare essentials, and that is what I did.

It was AWESOME!!!!! I got to show off some of my work, made some AWESOME,AWESOME connections, and really enjoyed networking with other local artists! This opportunity could have been given to ANYONE!!! I am SO glad I was thought of! YAY! I have already been asked to come back to the next show in October!!! YAY!!!! So busy days are ahead!! GOOD STUFF!!! If you look closely you might see someone you recognize **coughcoughvirginiaireallylovethatpictureofyouandatticusinthehospitalcoughcough** tee hee. I was BEAT when I got home Friday night.  I am still very excited about what is ahead for me. Very excited! I also got VIP passes to see The Salon . Can't wait to see that!

Yesterday was NSD. My kids WOKE up wanting to scrapbook...How did they know? LOL No, one wants to take a picture right now, so I will show you guys their work later on LOL, even Aj did a LO!

Then they got hungry and made a "healthy snack"

Notice the pile of "sugar"? lol They put a "sheet" on the table to serve as a tablecloth lol....they are a mess! lol

I went by the store to "help-out", well more like "talk" tee hee, and was able to help a new scrapper! yay! She asked so many questions! It was soooooo  much fun. I remember when I was like that lol. While there, Mrs. Noreen came in (pls excuse that non-sense in the picture....aka...my double chin) the store was kinda busy so I had to do a self portrait lol....

and then there is the loveliness called "Gretchen"

Gretchen is a really, really sweet person. Can't help but love her.....tee hee, and she makes you love stuff like the little bitty MM letter stickers lol. WHY can't I work my freakin point and shoot?!? UGH. I mean it is NOT rocket science, but I never take good pics with that thing. SOMETIMES, but not always, Maybe because it was on auto....I don't like auto lol

Oh and the JOY OF JOYS. I got a package from....

Yes, yes, yes......what was in my package!?!?!?

The bestestest stuff called KOIGU . OMG. This stuff feels SO GOOD! This will be for my chevron scarf. If this stuff wasn't in hanks....I would have cast it on as SOON as I got it. Since it IS in hanks, and you simply can NOT work from it like that, and since I have ordered a LOT of yarn that should be here ANY day not that is ALSO in hanks, that I did NOT get from my LYS so they will NOT wind it for me....I purchased this:

Yep, I ordered this bad boy  and I "HOPE" to have it this week. I will have my very own swift and winder. If you want to read about them, you can check HERE and HERE .

In other knitting news, Toya and I are doing our first KAL. IT will be for the Summer Time Tunic in the new IK. You can email me at anixon1036@charter.net if you want to join and the blog can be found HERE. We are aiming to start on or around May 15th.  So YAY!

And yet MORE knitting news....I was looking at the Spring Knitty patterns(I am supposed to be getting ready for church right now lol) and Kayla was sitting with me and she liked this...

It's called Monica . AND it's done in Robin's favorite! Brown sheep cotton fleece! ROFLOL!

Kayla want's hers in Tea Rose and Pink-A-Boo and Jaelyn wants hers in Raging Purple and Gold Dust, why purple and gold? I bet Cheryl can tell you lol. Those are her "new" school colors....her words were, I can wear it over a plain white tee when it get's cold to our pep rallys. Humph lol

And last but NOT least lol, remember when Tmobile sent me a new phone, it was February 23 (how do I link individual posts?? LOL) ANYWAY, I was still having problems with it. It locked up Saturday and I could hardly do ANYTHING. Well, turns out there is a problem with the phone. (if you have one and you have been having trouble, call and they will replace it) Here I was thinking maybe it kept messing up because it did too much lol, internet, email, organizer, camera phone lol, but nope, so come Wednesday, gone will be my beloved Tmobile MDA (that they no longer carry) I will now have a TMOBILE DASH.

So YAY! Alrighty guys that is IT for me!  Have a great day, I have  GOT to get off of here and get ready for Church!

Toodles!

TGIF!

YAY! So happy today is Friday!!!  YAY!!! Can you guys believe I am actually still awake? I mean normally I just set this thing to post at 12:01am, but umm, what time is it now? Yeah, I will pay for this later lol, and I have to get up at WHAT time? lol, anyway lol,yesterday I took my daughter to the Middle school, which she is DETERMINED to call "Jr. High" lol, It was nice...brought back a LOT of memories. It's been a LONG time since I walked those halls, and one of the teachers that was there when "I" was there.....he is STILL there! LOL, I got a chance to sign up to help with a few things (yep already lol) and I am glad. I'm really excited! LOL

I got my Interweave Knits yesterday. OMG. GREAT issue. At first glance. I see a good bit of stuff I want to make, BUT I have to choose my patterns carefully. No more picking stuff on a whim. NOPE, but what I did see.....

THIS BAG Now I have seen them before, and thought...naaahhh. I made my bag, I love my bag...I bought  a GAP Red bag....love my bag. I just LOVE bags...but now I REALLY want one. And I think I am going to get it too! YAY lol.... LOVE THESE BAGS! OMG. Or maybe I can find a different one somewhere else cheaper? Maybe, but I REALLY like these. tee hee

As far as the patterns go I really like the Summertime tunic.

Now it looks good on the website, but the picture in the magazine sold me on it. This is a definite knit.

I also got my Spring 2007 Knit Scene. So YAY! lol, VERY good mail day!

Here is my ribs and lace tank...tee hee lol

Now, here is Jaelyn and her LO's....she is SO proud, and NO we do NOT have a cat. These pics are VERY OLD. Notice how her hand is CAREFULLY placed on the edge of that pic with the blue circles.....she ran out of circles lol

and

and of COURSE Kayla had to show SOMETHING, so I pulled out a couple of necklaces that Zanete made me that I never did show you guys. **WARNING, THE PICTURES BELOW HAVE BEEN EDITED IN PHOTOSHOP. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE "UNNATURAL LOOK OF PHOTOS", PLEASE CLICK THE RED "X" IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE SCREEN IF YOU HAVE A PC, OR THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER IF YOU HAVE A MAC** If seeing color added to your photos doesn't  bother you, then you can continue on....lol

I love this pic! This will "SO" be a scrapbook page soon!

and this one...

Lu, here is that "soft focus" we were talking about! LOL

Alright guys, that is IT for me!! I have an exciting day today!! YAY, but I will tell you guys alllllllllllllllllllllllllll about it on Monday! YAY! And if I don't respond to your emails....I'm probably somewhere passed out! LOL

Have a great weekend!!

Toodles!

Ok knitters.....has this happened to you?

Ok, so I have been working on Ribs and Lace from IK. It was going well, messed up, fixed it.....going well, messed up lol, fixed it, going good again, BUT I'm not liking it anymore. I don't know if it is my yarn choice, color or what. Im working with Rowan all seasons cotton, so I know I can use it on something else. I was telling Robin when I first started that I wasn't sure of the way it was knitting up, but liked the yarn, soooooo lol, kept going. But hmmm, not so sure now. I did start on Green Gable and it is going good. I messed up once on it, counted wrong lol, and fixed it and now, its just mindless....sooooo lol does it happen to you? Do I frog it and use the yarn for something else or do I keep going? Help me decide.......but I am leaning more towards frogging......

And here is the yarn....in case you can't remember....

In other news, I made the recipie Toya posted the other day. It was a hit. I changed a few things and doubled the recipie, lol, and it was almost gone the first day. I made an 11x13 pan and they ate over half of it the first day lol, hubby is trying to be the photographer, so ummm, let's thank him for this yellow picture lol, he will learn to love light lol

Oh and these are the stitchmarkers I made with Zanete this past weekend. I also got a good deal on some other beads that I will be making sooooooonnnnn. Most of these will be for giveaways, so stay tuned for that!

I don't like jump rings or split rings, or what ever you call them lol, because they can snag your yarn, so I used braclet and necklace closures. Only one end, well because I don't have any use for the other end. Here is a close up of the end. And they come in a variety of sizes.

And while we are on the subject....tee heee...here are more beads that will become stitch markers lol, you know they had to be orange lol. I am kinda glad right now because we don't have an AC Moore, but one is just at an hour away...tee heeeeee

and of course lol

Now, let me tell you what I learned about the above stone.......while I love the color, I will never again buy this for necklaces, to make. Now, I guess I knew the stone wasn't authentic, BUT when I saw a strand of stones that Zanete had, that WERE authentic. OMG. BEAUTIFUL. I only want the real thing from now on.Call it what you want, but that is what I want! LOL.....and then there is this.

This is my first and only necklace. Now, I started it, but could NOT finish it. I do know that beading as a hobby, as in making stuff to wear is OUT..WHY? Man, these beads were SO small! I now appreciate even more what Zanete does for others AND me lol....

Yesterday Tony got to play Field Trip Dad....lol

lol, and Jaelyn and her friend Jessica. I see her number on the caller id SO much lol.....

And Jaelyn being "MY" daughter....took this one of her dad...

Yep...that is indeed my daughter....

But before I go, my girls have not scrapped in a LONG time. They finally got their stuff out and I about fell out when Jaelyn told me her Mojo is back. Ummmm, I will post her LO's tomorrow! tee hee, lol

Toodles!

I've learned.......

**ZANETE FOUND ANDRE'S RING!!! YAY!!!!**

• As soon as you get your hair done, and get some BEAUTIFUL new highlights for spring/summer....It will rain.
• As soon as you wear your favorite long white linen skirt that you have had for three years, that you got on sale from Banana republic, it will rain.
• It is damn HARD to find a dropped stitch when your pattern is: K2tog, K2tog, YO, K1, YO three times, YO ssk, ssk. UGH.
• You will cry, when you realize that your 5yr old is going to big school. I have to register him today. :-( where did that time go???? :-(
• My 11 yr old daughter will willingly put a load of clothes in the washer when threatened  asked.
• If you have a child with braces, you will have to make dentist appointments for 7:45 AM, BUT you can knit while she is there...YAY lol
• You NEVER know until you ask!!!!!!! I needed a little help with something,and I put the word out there and got an overwhelming response!! Thank you all!!! You know who you are!!! :-)
• FAX MACHINES ARE WONDERFUL! LOL right along with excel spread sheets!! ;-)
• You can NOT, I repeat, you can NOT watch LOST and knit. It just does NOT work.ESPECIALLY WHEN SUBTITLES ARE INVOLVED!!!!

Ok, so how about  a couple of pictures lol....

Here is my progress on Ribs and Lace....I am at the ladder lace now, so a big improvement from this pic! YAY! I think I "might" be done before my target date.....

and a close up.......

I must admit, the rounds actually go pretty fast. I forgot which one I am on now lol

After seeing Ronalyn's mini albums in a basket, I looked around my house and saw this basket (it normally sits next to the piano, but I moved it for photo purposes lol)

We love magazines in my house. Hubby sent me this huge basket full of flowers one year for my birthday. Of COURSE I kept the basket!!! I have also used this in a couple of my photo shoots....anyway, at any given time you can find the most current (and all past issues,lol) of  Time, ESPN. Sports Illustrated, Entertainment weekly, Scrapbooks etc, Essence, Shutterbug, Women's day and something else I can't remember....so if you ever need a magazine....lol

That's a wrap for me. THANK GOD IT IS ALMOST FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hubby made his first request!!!!

I was sitting on the bed looking at this book:

And Tony asked to see it.....ok sure....so he said I like this one:

I said ok. He asked if I would make it for him. Awwww, but of course I will. I also told him he may not get it until Christmas, lol, and he was ok with that! So today I went to Hobby Lobby on my lunch and got these colors for his blanket:

Pretty eh? And of COURSE I am going to make one for ME! lol. I want this one.....

In these colors:

Yummy..... I am going on a little trip this weekend, so I will be getting my crochet on, while I am gone! YAY! LOL

I am using Simply Caron Soft. And it REALLY is soft. I was almost VERY dissapointed today. Hobby Lobby is in the process of re-organizing their yarn department. I could not FIND ANYTHING!!! I JUST so happen to walk by their fabric department and saw all this beautiful yarn, that JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE CARON SOFT! YAY!!! I quickly got what I needed and headed over to the SB section...well, just because, and they had their paper 1/2 off. Now I have done good with buying paper,I've only bought a few sheets of what I want, well because I have a lot of PP...well when I walked past the BG...I PROMISE you it just jumped off the shelf and into my buggy!! Couture wanted to come home with me. It was the LAST pack and it was LONELY!!! I couldn't just leave it there.... tee hee.......

But I think the kicker was when I got to the checkout....ok...I'm on my lunch, so I kinda want to get out of there lol, this lady about KNOCKS me over to get in front of me....look at all the crap she had...(picture from my cell phone, so PLEASE ignore the quality lol)

Look at all that stuff! Do you know how LONG I was IN LINE!?!?! OMG. THANKFULLY I did make it back to work on time. ugh.

Anyway, my next knitting project is the Ribs and Lace Tank from Interweave knits. I am making today my official start date, so I can see exactly how long it took me to knit it. Not that I am rushing, just for documentation purposes!!! Tee hee. But here is my progress so far. This was about three minutes ago lol I am using Rowan all seasons cotton...this stuff feels SO good in my hands!

I really want to ATTEMPT to set a target date to finish this. Hmmm, I will say, Umm, I want to be done by ummmmmmmm May 18th. That is a big day for us....Jaelyn's graduation, so we will be out and about. So yep. I want to be done by her graduation. Ok. Now, let's cross all fingers and toes. And if for some reason I don't make my target date...I will just buy something new! It HAS been a while since I bought CLOTHING! LOL

Maria tagged me so here goes.....

Seven random things....Hmmm, how personal should I get?

1. I can drink an entire bottle of hypnotic and not be drunk. lol, but I will NOT tell you what size. ZANETE SHUT UP! lol

2. I drink about six 23.7 fl oz of Propel everyday. (I say this as I look next to me and see an almost finished bottle lol)

3. I do NOT like scary movies. AT ALL. I JUST saw Final Destination, like two weeks ago. YES, I consider that scary! LOL

4. I sleep with the TV on, everynight, but NOT by choice. For some reason, it helps Tony go to sleep faster???? lol

5.I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE , LOVE, LOVE , LOVE freshen up gum!!! you know the one with the liquid in the center!!?!?!

6. I love to make goodie bags to go along with birthday gifts and Christmas gifts, but not any goody bags! I put my favorite stuff in there for my friends. I have one girl who is still using stuff I put in her bag! My favorite soap, lotion, toothpaste, lipgloss....etc. It's nice and they get some of my favorite stuff. But I only do this for a couple of people. Well about five to be exact, that gets expensive.

7. I use Sally Hansen Cuticle Oil every three days on my nails and toes. I tell you this stuff works miracles for dry cuticles!

And in case you get bored, here are a couple of links.....

Bored.com

Get Clippings.com

Well that is IT for me. I am going to bed because I have a VERY upset stomach! Don't forget to tune into Inspirational Wednesday!!!!

Toodles!!!!!!!

Randomness.......

I am so glad Toya told me to get the Computer Tricks for scrapbooking. I picked it up on my lunch and could not WAIT to get home. I did this one....

Well the inspiration first.......My inspiration came a day early....lol, but more tomorrow too lol

and my LO....

I was so proud of me. Tony called and asked me what I was doing, and I told him I did a "layout" and he said a what? Damn, lol, has it been THAT long? LOL

Ok, journaling reads: Knitting  has become somewhat of a comfort to me. I love the relaxing feeling that I get, each and every time I pick up my needles. I love the rush I get when I fondle new yarn. Some people smoke...I KNIT!

Products:

CI Narratives

CBX

HS (you know I HAD to use her stuff lol)

and American Craft rubons (THE MINI RUBONS ARE MY NEW FAVORITE!)

Quick and easy and to the point. LOVE it.

In other news....please send some "do not kill my only twin brother vibes" to Zanete. Andre lost his wedding band...in case you need a reminder, or if you see it, please let them know....

Please check out  the blog of Kelli . She is doing an awesome project for her return trip to Mozambique next month. She wants to take back goodie bags to the kids. Email her or post on her blog if you want to help her with this. I think it's an excellent idea and I will be sending some things to her. I hope some of you are able to join in as well.

OMG, did you hear about Michael Jordan's Divorce . OMG. She paid.

And my lesson for the day? You can't always tell everyone everything. No matter how close they are to you. Not in a husband/wife close, but friendship close.  Sometimes if you are excited about something, you think, ohhh, I can't wait to tell (fill in the blank)....but sometimes, if you just keep your mouth shut, you can avoid a bunch of stuff. Sista girl is learning to keep her mouth closed about certain things to certain people. Everyone that you THINK is for you.....may not be, and will OFTEN times try to discourage you. Late night phone calls are NOT good. ugh.

Ok, so in HAPPIER news....I got this yesterday!!! YAY!

Want to say it with me Robin???? Tee hee.....

It's for my Rusted Root. I am ALMOST done with my Fitted Knits Top. OMG. I HOPE I can post it tomorrow!! Keep ya fingers crossed!!!!!

and this...

I have only glanced through it, but, it has great pics in it of techniques. I will review this one later.

But have ya seen THIS!?!?!?!

and I am going to bite the bullet soon....THIS will be my next lens. It's already been pre-appoved by the bank, Tony.  Tee hee,  I have the 50mm 1.8 and while it is a great lens for the money, I want more glass, my 17-40  has me spoiled....

Alrighty guys don't forget to tune in for Inspiration Wednesday tomorrow!

A few things I learned yesterday.....

• Never ignore the little *knitting voice* in your head that tells you to stop because something is wrong. You will have to do some frogging.
• When you are working on a pattern, using circular needles.....when it tells you to ADD SCRAP YARN....HELLO....you can just leave the cable in and put the buttons on the end....that's what they are for. Yep...felt like a total nut lol....
• Never FORGET your purse on the day you go to the yarn shop. You NEVER know when they might be having a 1/2 off sale because they are moving. Or maybe that can be a good thing? NEVER!
• When trying a new photo printing service (wolf) don't leave your printed recipt at work on your desk because you will need it when they tell you, you didn't place the order.....
• Did I mention, DON'T Ignore that little knitting voice??? Oh yeah, I said that first.

I have to admit I am a TAD bit disspointed that I had to frog my top, BUT it wasn't right, so I wasn't going to just GO ON. I did learn how to do it correctly, and how hopefully it will all come out better lol.

In other BETTER news...I had a GREAT mail day lol...I FINALLY got this:

YAY! Finally got my options. MAN, it took a WEEK! lol.....and this:

I started on it last night. Too funny!!!!!. LOVED her last book, and I got a few other things, but that will be a different post, a little while later...tee hee, GOOD stuff though! LOL, and while I was outside taking pics...I got a pic of this, because SOMEONE wanted me to take her pic lol

Ronalyn and I finally got a chance to Ichat, and now I know how to save screen shots lol, and yes Jaelyn was happy to see herself in my screen lol

Yep, fun stuff lol, then there is the "guy" I know....let's call him "TONY" he is TERRIBLY afraid of needles....well LOOK what he brought me home....

Yes, he gave blood...the guy that is DEATHLY afraid of needles, so I could have a comfy t-shirt...awwwwww. Well guys, that is it! Have a great weekend!!!!!

Got Gauge?

Ok knitters.....this girl needs some help. I finished up my Cami but guess what? It is TOO BIG. Now, I took this in to my LYS to get help finding gauge, and we got it. But  WHY am I swimming in my tank?!!?? I am going to post a pic of it probably on Wednesday but this has me FRUSTRATED, and SCARED. I am going to rip out my fitted knits turtleneck and get gauge on it again, JUST to be sure. I do NOT want to knit garments that are TOO BIG that I can NOT wear. Ok, any tips? Advice?????

So how was your weekend? Aside from the aforementioned, mine was great. Lot's of food, TONS of family, and an overall good time. I didn't have my camera most of the time, because I just wanted to enjoy myself....
But I did manage to get a FEW pics....

This has to be my favorite of my mom and dad.....this pic says SO much. I liked it so much, I came home after church and printed it out for them. They loved it!

and here is one of my mom...

Now, I got to church before she did, so instead of her walking up to me saying, "goodmorning" she goes, this is my Barrie Pace outfit. HA! I laughed. If you guys think "I" like to shop....spend a few days with my mom, the apple does not fall far from the tree, lol.

Here are some of the kids, during the egg hunt festivities....

Aj seems to LOVE having Christmas bags for Easter. lol, he had a Christmas bag last year lol

and little miss priss....

Love this one of my dad begging for the kids eggs lol

Aj did NOT want to share his lol......

Here is one of Tony and the kids....

and one of me and the kiddos....

Then the good stuff lol.....

They had a BLAST on the 4wheelers....

One thing they love about my parents house is all the room. They can ride for DAYS. I will NOT tell you how FILTHY my bathtub was when they finished taking baths last night. OMG.

This one LOVES the camera.....

see, told ya...Kayla is a MESS!

But the camera loves her too lol.....

Look at those curls....

It took me FOREVER to do her hair. She only wears her hair down and straightened, MAYBE twice a year lol

And the oldest Jaelyn...who will QUICKLY let you know she IS the oldest even though she is SMALL....

and all at once lol....

 

And hubby keeping an eye on the kiddos.....when I finished taking some pics, I went BACK into the house lol

Well guys that's a wrap. Very relaxing weekend! Hope you all had a good one! Now....it's back to the weekly grind lol

Tony+ Adrienne+NO KIDS= A FANTASTIC TIME!

Phew....I'm BACK! LOL....where did I go you ask???
Portofino Island. OMG. We had a fantastic time. How about a picture recap????

This is SUCH a beautiful place. We are already making plans to go back.

Yep...chillin....

Tony said I HAD to put this pic on here...yes I PIGGED OUT THIS WEEKEND! LOL

Me after a few drinks....This is my attempt to look like Shelley lol....Remember the hat? LOL

On the beach at night..NO KIDS! Notice my dress?!? Everything I wore I made, with the EXcEPTION of my denim jackect, swimsuit, and guachos lol

I LOVE this picture!

My camera started getting foggy....lol, I did NOTHING to this photo, but I was scared that my pics were looking soft lol

Love this one of hubby...come on, you KNOW I had to take it lol

I had some fun! LOL

Love the sandcastles!! Tee hee.....

Yes I did knit..more on that later lol

How about this for a beautiful sunset from our room...

We were on the 16th floor. BEAUTIFUL VIEW!

This entire place was so beautifully decorated. Loved it. Took some notes too !LOL

Tee hee, had to set up this shot lol

LOVE THE POOL!!!!

Tee hee, and the chairs! This is where Tony napped when he sent me to the SPA. WOW....I was SO ready for a nap. I stayed in there for a LONG time........ but I LOVED it.

LOVED this wall lol

When we got to the beach, they guys that set up our chairs, asked for our names, and they thought we were the "Nixons" That owned this watch company...we we are NOT, WISH we were, but we went out to the shop and found some. There is another one I really want lol, but DANG, how could we NOT buy watches with our NAMES on it?!?!?

www.nixonnow.com

I thought this sign was SO cute! LOL and funny lol

Ummm, the UFO has landed......

And we drove down to Destin to go shopping...I won 100 on the way down there, and then another 100 on Monday! LOL, it will go toward my next major purchase!! YAY!! Can't wait to share! Tee hee, but in a few days...tee hee lol

I went in this store and LOST MY MIND OK!? I only bought clothing from this store. I got a ton of shoes, but NO CLOTHES! Tony did all the damage. NOT ME! But I got the cutest sweater....I'll post a pic of it later lol

Ok guys, that is a WRAP. I am BEAT, and have to go to work tomorrow. I did not go today...we continued the celebration....olive garden....mall....he even took me to the SB store and then to Ben and Jerry's. I am SO done with eating lol. I have had more food in the last FOUR days that I have in three weeks. SERIOUSLY!

Have a great day!

TOODLES!

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY!! I really think that is my NEW favorite word. I say it ALL THE TIME! YAY! lol

Guess what I did when I got home from work yesterday!?!?!? I BET you can't guess. I DID NOTHING! I did not cook, I did not do laundry, I did not sew, I did not scrap, I did not knit. I DID NOTHING. And it felt FANTASTIC!!!!! What did the kids eat for dinner? Krispy Kreme doughnuts and cereal lol. Good combo don't ya think? They sure were happy lol...moving on......

I used to have three notebooks in my purse...mind you they are all small, BUT yesterday I organized them all, into this one. I LOVE THIS!!! It can be rather hard to listen to your heart too....lol

So now I have all my patterns that I have at home, the ones I have completed and the ones on my wishlist...what fabric I need for the next sewing project, what I MIGHT want to knit next, and the yarn I MIGHT want to use...YAY! LOL

Look at what is my back parking lot at work. Isn't it BEAUTIFUL! We They have geese too, but ummm, they will chase you...do NOT ask me how I know that....

Since I am SO in love with knitting....once I finish up my Cami, which should be done ANY day now, and while I work on my Fitted Knits top,(which I will cast on April 1st...WOO HOOO) I will also be working on this:

The Ribs and Lace Tank from Interweave Knits. LOVE THIS!!!!! I will be using this very beautiful yarn....

And how funny is this? LOL, it made me laugh because I felt like this ALL day at work yesterday...I can now say it IS Friday! Have a great weekend!

Toodles!

OMG

I had 1,309 hits to my blog yesterday. That is the most EVER. Neat! LOL WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!? LOL, come out of lurkdom lol, I KNOW you are out there...tee hee

Tuesday hubby wanted grilled hamburgers for dinner....so I grilled them..LOVE my gas grill, but I left it on. ALL, night and ALL DAY YESTERDAY!!! THANKFULLY it was on low. I walked past it coming in the house and was like...hmm, that is NOT supposed to be hot. I left one burner on. Got's to be more careful. I think it scared Tony because he cooked Taco Salad last  night. And as usual, it was THE BOMB!

I had a REALLY good mail day yesterday....

I FINALLY got my labels....

Yay! Can't wait to add them to my stuff! Jaelyn was SO excited lol.

I got some more patterns....

Can't wait to make these, but then I can't wait to make all of the ones I get lol

I went to the SB store yesterday with only ONE thing on my mind......HAMBLY. I wanted some. I want to try it out. I was afraid of it at first lol, but now, Hmmmm, I want to be daring lol....lol I pulled out a few things from my stash for this picture...you will see this all again...VERY soon...

I want to pause right here to make a small statement.

My name is Adrienne and I am INDEED addicted to Maya Road Albums. I have a problem. I HOARD them....

I have only used ONE! lol, so should I be ashamed that I came home with these???

They were just TOO cute to pass up. I also got some as giveaways...Yep...I used you guys...tee hee lol

In other news, I finished my dress...

Someone didn't want to take my pic, and my  backup photographer was asleep (Jaelyn) so I will post it later. It looks and feels great....

And lookie here....

I was knitting SO fast! Trying to take the pic before the sun went down lol, I BARELY made it. I am SO glad I made it to the stockinette stitch! YAY! I told you I will finish this before Monday! It's all down hill from here!! YAY!

Alright guys that is it. Have a great day!! It's ALMOST FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Toodles!

THIS IS WHY I HATE TO GET GAS

Now, I KNOW gas is something we HAVE to have....but DANG. I HATE going to the gas station. It doesn't bother me when Tony get's it because I don't have to SEE the total.....ok...moving on....Oh and since I totalled my car, and don't want a car note, I have been driving my van...lol, just in case you are wondering what in the WORLD I am driving. LOL

Can someone tell me how to make playlist for my Ipod? I have playlists on my ITUNES, but it's not on my Ipod. I have a video one, and I want to my playlists on there, lol, for some reason it's not working....any assistance will be greatly appreciated.....I am SURE it's something I'm not doing right...

Some of the people I work with won an all expense paid trip to Mexico....I got a tshirt back lol...it was nice to be thought of!

Lookie at what is growing in front of my house.....I have NO idea what it is, but it shows up this time every year. I did NOT plant it. I can not grow ANYTHING lol...

and another....

Just beautiful!!!

I went to Hobby Lobby on my lunch yesterday......I ALWAYS forget that they have a fabric department! They had simplicity patterns on sale for .99...woo hooo....

I simply can not WAIT to make the top one (the pink dress, different color of course) It is ALMOST a dead ringer for this EXTREMLY EXPENSIVE ANTHROPOLOGIE DRESS....

And I got this for the girls...

They said they want all the views....I wish you could have heard me laughing lol, and they are ready to go to hancock to pick out their material....I will DEFINATELY take my camera that day....and probably my mom to help keep me from loosing my mind lol

I cut this pattern out last night, so hopefully I will get to make it today.I was going to make it last night, but I started putting away clothes, and next thing I know, all my winter clothes were put up and the spring/summer stuff was pulled out, and I had about five bags to give away to the goodwill. LOL, and  I still have to make a hancock run to get some lace...I thought I was going to go yesterday, but didn't make it....today for sure though.....This fabric is so soft its a shame. Its a cotton,rayon, lycra blend. Feels WONDERFUL.

By way of knitting.....

I finished one ball of my yarn....BUT...

It STILL isn't enough. I need SIX inches....I "WILL" get those last few inches today, and start on the body....I WILL finish this BEFORE Monday. BEFORE! That means, I will post a pic of me wearing it ON MONDAY...THAT IS MY GOAL. Now that I have that in writing, I guess I need to knit!

Have a great day guys...Tune in tomorrow for Inspirational Wednesday

Toodles!

What a weekend!!!

WOW....I had a REALLY good weekend....Let's recap shall we?????

Friday Hubby and I had a "date". And NO date is complete without a trip to.....

I was able to go and look around for a little bit. I got an issue of Sew Stylish, I have to get the the newest issue. It has some pretty good articles in it.

After that, we went to the Stardome to see Mike Epps....OMG. This man is a TOTAL nut. I mean I ALREADY knew that, but DANG....a couple of pics...


Good times lol....next....we went to....

Yummmm, I will NOT tell how many garlic cheddar biscuits I ate. Nope...I won't say a word....a pic of the hubby...

I think he was checking out the basketball score lol....and one of me....ya know, just for documentation purposes...

Bahama Mama....yummy...lol

On Saturday, I had a REALLY good mail day....

I FINALLY got my issue of Interweave Knits, my additional Denise Needles (I always seem to need 6&8) and a ring from QVC! YAY! lol, I will look at my mag at work today. It's ALREADY in my knitting bag! LOL

And a pic of my "stash"...tee hee, I have a yarn stash lol

The orange is for my turtleneck from fitted knits, the greenish is from green gable, the red is the sock yarn lol, the grey is some cheapo to learn how to do the socks, so I won't mess up my sock yarn, and the yellow is for my cami! Speaking of my Cami, here is my progress. I did this Thursday night. I did not get a chance to knit this weekend, so I will start on it Monday.

So only a few more inches to go and I will be able to start the stockinette stitch. yay. It takes FOREVER to do one inch lol....there are 220 stitches on that bad boy lol....

About FIVE minutes after I got my mail...my brother showed up! SURPRISE! YAY!!! I see Zanete a lot, but NEVER Andre....

While we are on the subject, and since Andre and I NEVER get pics together...here are a few lol

Here he is being "normal"...

And here he is being STUPID....

He is SO stupid. Look how big he made his stomach....

I LOVE this pic. It is out of focus, but it says a TON.....I can not however, tell you what he did...tee hee lol

So we had lots of fun. There were games....

and food....LOTS of food....

Whitening AND Talipa....VERY good lol

And of course....there were fries....

NO fish fry is complete without what?

Grape Koolaid....SUPER SWEET....man....you must not know bout me....

And Zanete wanted this....

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD......the icecream was "JUST" starting to melt...

Funny moment....Andre was looking for some pictures I have of his truck (He flipped it a few years ago, and I guess he misses it....I call him flipper...tee hee) ANYWAY, so he wants to look for the pics...I bring the pics downstairs (you know the cropper hopper containers that hold 2000 pics? LOL) So he is going through them, and he could NOT find them....tee hee, I already had them pulled out. It was FUN going down memory lane..tee hee

The kids wanted to paint....but they HAD to do it outside....

Yep, THEY had fun....

Guys...this is my new guilty pleasure....

I ate almost a WHOLE box of these. They are SO good.

Ready for Sunday? LOL

I HATE that the trees were in the way, but you get the idea. After Toya and  I finished recording the podcast, I walked past my window and saw this BEAUTIFUL sunrise......of course I HAD to grab my camera....lol

In sewing news: I made...

McCall's 5144  This was SOOOOOOOOO easy. I think it took ABOUT an hour from start to finish. I can't wait to wear it. I MIGHT wear it today....we will see....and it is SUPER COMFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG! Feels like I have on pj's or something. It's a cotton,rayon, lycra blend I think....and the top is jersey....

I also made....

McCall's 5039. This one was easy too. I have to seal up the casing and hem it, and it's done. I want some really cute shoes for this one. Probably a white espidrelle. This one is REALLY comfy. I am going to get some ribbon for  under the breast area, so it doesn't all just run together....well I "might" lol, we will see.

I FINALLY put the yoke and zipper in this one...

My mom had to help me but now I understand yokes....and the white version...

I did make two skirts out of the same pattern. I REALLY like this pattern. Other than being confused about the yoke it was super easy. I'm going to make a top for this one just like the one I have on, MAYBE in white, or turquoise... oh, it's New Look 6569 .

I can't buy any more fabric until I have made FIVE garments. I have three more to go lol.

Ok guys, that's it! Be sure to tune into Inspiration Wednesday  this week. You are in for a TREAT! TEE HEE!

Toodles!

K1, P1, K1, P2....repeat to last 4sts

I promise I can do that in my damn sleep lol. I am really enjoying working on my  Cashmere Cami and it is coming along nicely. Well..... It's SLOW, but I think once I finish it, it will be great. I  am realizing that I knit slow. I HATE that. Must work to knit a little faster, but still do it correctly. Or maybe just continue to knit slow and not have to rip out...yep...I vote for the latter..... 

Here is a little progress.....

So on Tuesday I went to get my hair "did". Now, I don't know about you guys, but everyone knows when you are going to get your hair done. WHY? Because you don't do ANYTHING to it lol. I went to work with my hair pulled back. That NEVER happens.... ANYWAY, here I am pre-perm lol, I gave my camera to someone who could handle it...JAMES! LOL (GLORIA HE IS TOOOOOO FUNNY!, been missing you, email me!!!)

Here is Dorsey, hookin a sistah up....

and me havin fun with my camera lol.....those edges are getting straight!!!!

Here I am before my cut.....

And TA-Da!! I LOVE my new cut!!!

It has been a LONG time since I could "feel" my neck. Love it. Promise you...eight weeks time, my hair will be back where it was before he cut it.

And James, the man that made it ALL possible. If you are in the B'ham area....go see him. This is what scrapbooking can do for you....Raunda, Tonya and his wife Gloria  scrapbook, and because of them, I met him. LOVE what James does for my hair! LOL. Renovare is the bomb. Next time, I get more color....yum. LOL

And here is a pic of me from yesterday lol, gotta love the fact that I have a PHOTOGRAPHER that lives right next door. I was TRYING to get Jaelyn to take my pic, but she didn't want to act right, so I caught Gary JUST as he was getting his mail...tee hee, thanks Gary! LOL

Dang, my face looks fat! Have a great day guys!!!!!

Randomness....

So how about a funny......  This is Kayla's little friend Skylar....I am standing in my driveway. Skylar is on the phone with Kayla....Kayla is standing in my yard.......

Skylar asked me to take a picture of them, sooooo I walked outside..IN MY SOCKS, across the street to get a picture of two 6 yr old girls on the phone....standing next to each other....too cute

I PROMISE they talk all the time. Kayla told her yesterday taht she was about to go and Skylar told her to call her back on her cell phone....funny.

These are my two latest books.....

The Modern Quilt Workshop and Easy Knitted Accessories I am really looking forward to diving into these.....

My next project....yummmmmm......

And Toya and I are doing a knit along with the Green Gable pattern. This is my yarn....ohhhhh, yummy!!!

Next........

I got more fabric from Gorgeous Things It is TRULY GORGEOUS.

These are just some random shots I got...playing in raw.....

And more QVC goodies....

And lastly....

I would like to introduce you all to "Jazzy" this is MY dress form. Jazzy finally came on yesterday. I'd waited on Jazzy to be cleaned but it took a VERY long time. Since it took so long, singer sent me a BRAND NEW ONE! YAY! Jazzy will be my friend. She will be there when I need an ear. She won't bitch and complain because I need to vent...she will be a great friend lol.

Toodles!

I didn't know black people knit...

YEs you read that correctly. I could not WAIT to get to a computer to be able to tell you guys about this. I had to go get some tires on Friday morning, and I am sitting in the lobby....minding my OWN business. I think at this point in the morning, I was emailing Robin...HI ROBIN lol, anyway. I was knitting away on my next project...MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS, and this white lady comes in (MAYBE around 50 yrs old) and she looked at me and said....

I DIDN'T KNOW BLACK PEOPLE KNIT.

WTF? OMG. It took ALL I could not to get completly GHETTO on her ass. ALL I COULD! I told her knitting wasn't about black or white. Damn, I do have hands don't I? OMG! It totally felt like a slap in the face. Like just because I'm "BLACK" means I can't do certain things. There is a yarn store here, that I don't go into for that VERY reason. They did NOT treat me right when I went in for the first time. I have NOT been back. My money is VERY green, and I will take my black behind, with my GREEN money and spend it where it's appreciated. What an ASS. So for those of you that don't think racisim exists??? It does and some of us deal with it EVERY single day. EVERY DAY. So what are your thoughts on this? Chime in. 

See, what had happened wuz.....

I think I've started a post like this before. When someone says, "what had happened wuz" you know you are in for a treat...lol, I just like the way it sounds lol.

Yesterday when Toya got home, she called me, I was still at work, SUFFERING lol, and she was scrapping....well about to scrap. Now NORMALLY when she is scrapping and I'm still at work, I get all kinds of fired up, then I am ready to scrap too...NOT THIS TIME. LOL, so I left work, came home, got the mail, did the normal thing....got my new Essence Mag in the mail (btw, doesn't Terrance Howard look a LOT like Eva Pigford from America's Next Top Model?

Damn. He does.

LOL. ANYWAY, dang, where was I? Oh ok...got my mag in the mail...talked to Ronalyn for a little while,(love how its 6pm here and 3pm in Alaska lol)( tee hee, glad you clicked "send") while Jaelyn and Kayla did homework......blah...sooooooo, I opened my mag and OMG, I see this AD. LOVED it. I felt my scrapping mojo. It has been on vacation. Seriously. So I start working on this LO...posted on the Scrap Etc board that I FINALLY have my mojo, called Virginia  to share my excitement....she is excited...woo hooo....then it hits. Jaelyn needs more help with her SAT Prep...Hmmm, ok. LOL. I didn't finish until after 9!! Yes PM. No, they did NOT get in bed early lol...so my mojo was GONE. LOL...but I am going to try and get by the store today so I can get some more paper to use......LOL....I guess I will have a LO or two or three soon? Like VERY soon? Let's keep our fingers crossed...lol

Then, OMG, I got an email from McCall's....OMG...It was like 9 in Philly and I was PRAYING Toya wasn't asleep...tee hee, yep had to share with my girl lol...I have to check to make sure the patterns are still on sale...HOPEFULLY they have them....I am feelin these...

This one looks really comfy...very nice......

Too cute! Just SCREAMS summer lol (yeah I know I'm being goofy, but I really do need to be asleep lol)

Love the skirt......not the pocket.......

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one! Looks SO comfy!!!!! In a soft cotton knit...hmmmmm, yeah. I'm addicted to collecting patterns. LOL. These are def coming home sometime soon lol.

In other news. I am DYING to show you guys this....

LOL....Tomorrow's IW will feature this here thing. IF I finish it. It is ALMOST done. And I do mean ALMOST!!!!!! Look at my little percentage bar lol....tee hee

The girls had another photo shoot yesterday. Aj was playing on the computer, but when he saw the pics he said...mommy, where am I? I told him...you were playing on the computer...he proceeded <---is that spelled right? to pout lol.... anyway, they were showing different emotions and what not lol...here are a couple of my favorites.. OH, and I had my ISO WAAAAYYY up there at 1600, 17-40L (LOVE MY LENS) lol...just playing around....tee hee... from here on out...if the pic has a frame around it, I took it, and unless otherwise noted...they are SOOC (straight out of camera, no enhacements..)

LOL, this goof ball Jaelyn was HIDING lol....

ANd this one was "sneaky"....

And Kayla...."serious"

"soldier" lol

Can you guess??? LOL, "happy"

"hiding"

LOL "peek a boo"

" Innocent" lol

Too funny. My kids are a MESS. Tee hee, you guys....don't miss IW tomorrow! YAY!!!! Dang....this is a LONG update for a Tuesday lol

Toodles!

Dang, my hands are DRY!

Thanks for all the well wishes...I Feel a LITTLE better, but I'm still VERY stuffy and sound very much like my brother....aka, A MAN. ugh lol

For all you knitters.....what do you do about SUCH DRY HANDS!?!?!?!?  The moisture is being COMPLETELY sucked out of my hands!!!!! OMG.

I got my yarn for my sweater...

I'm going to try and get the right guage this weekend. You should have seen me FLYING home, trying to get that LAST bit of sunlight to take this picture lol, I love natural light lol

If you forgot....I'm making this. I'm not going to make a full turtleneck. I do live in Alabama, but this yarn is SOOOOOO soft. Its burroco touche. Cotton blend. THe correct name escapes me right now lol

I went to Hancock yesterday and got......

The pink poplin will turn into....

Simplicity 4112 I thought the buttons were really pretty. You know I don't have a pink shirt? Well not YET! LOL, and I am going to make this top twice lol, I have some white that this is going to look good in. A parisian lace, that I actually forgot I had...oops. Can't start doing that now can I?

And this polka dot linen will turn into.....

Butterick 4985 View B  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these buttons. I am going to match this linen up with a solid for some capri's/ guachos. I can SO see this with some brown wedge sandals. Yep.... I might do these over the weekend.

I have a new addiction. Well two. Well three, but two of these are free.......

www.flickr.com

www.bloglines.com

I knew I was addicted to bloglines, but I didn't REALLY know how much until the other day. I check that site like a thousand times a day. And on Monday's I am ALWAYS on flickr. OMG. WOW. SO much stuff out there. OMG. It's a DANGEROUS place lol

The third addiction, I blame COMPLETELY on Toya. LOL...I was OKAY until she told me about www.aduible.com OMG. Now I am hooked on audiobooks. Thanks girlie!  Tee hee LOL!! Right now I am listening to Knitting by Anne Bartlett. It's very good.

I also need some new movies for my netflix list....any recommendations???? I like allllll types of movies, well except scary....I don't do scary. AT ALL.

I got an email from Olivia asking about my "organizational" skills. How I am able to do all that I do. Well, that is an INVOLVED question, BUT I will answer it to the best of my ability.

You all know that I have "several" things I love to do...sew, knit, scrap, blog, podcast (tee hee), I will take a knitting class from time to time, not to mention, doing things for the kids, the hubby,taking care of the house, time for "ME" doing NOTHING,lol <---------------that hardly EVER happens lol, BUT below is how I get it done.

• I MAKE LISTS! I mean ALL the time. If I need to get it done, I put it on a list. If I don't put it on a list, you can bet your bottom dollar that it will NOT get done. My PHONE has to be the best multi-device EVER. Not only do I get my email ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT, and ALL the time, but I can also make lists, and REMINDERS to check the lists. I tell you it HELPS. It also helps me keep track of any meetings and appointments that I may have. Tee hee, I also program it around Hancock sales....tee hee

• I DELEGATE! I have three well bodied children. They ALL have chores to do. My oldest does the laundry for her and her sister. Now, I got SO tired of them coming home from school, changing clothes, putting on "in the house clothes", then taking a bath, and all of that went into the hamper. THAT ADDS UP!!!!! Then they would clean their room, and if they had laundry that they hadn't put up, it went into the dirty laundry hamper. NOPE. Couldn't do it anymore. Now I do my laundry, hubby's, and Aj's. That's it. My 7 yr old will fold the laundry and put it away. Aj, tries to fold the towels. He DOES try lol. The girls do the small dishes. Jaelyn washes, and Kayla rinses and puts them on a towel. Aj just tries to stay out of the way. I do all the big stuff, well, the dishwasher does it.

• I COOK IN THE MORNINGS. NOT all the time, but most of the time I will get up and put dinner on for that day. I normally get up around 3:30 or 4. NORMALLY. Here lately, I've been cooking in the evening so I can sleep later lol. If I cook in the evening, it is for the next day and I "TRY" to cook enough for a couple of days. That does not always happen. Then some days Tony will cook. That is awesome.

• I am a stickler on TIME. Once we get home in the evenings...NORMALLY around 5:30 I only have a certain amount of time to make sure the kids homework is done and done right. By that time of the day, thier attention span is about gone. And with good reason. So normally by 6:30 we HAVE to be done with homework, or they get silly and well you know lol. Sometimes they eat dinner while doing their homework. It just depends on what they are doing. If I have to do something in the kitchen, Kayla will read to me while I am doing it. I swear I am the queen of multi-tasking lol.

• THE KIDS GO TO BED ON TIME! Bed time is NORMALLY at 8. Maybe a little earlier, but NEVER later than that. ESPECIALLY on Thursday nights lol. The girls get up at 5:00 or 5:30 every morning. It takes them FOREVER to get ready, so they get up, do their thing, eat breakfast, and pick up their rooms. That cuts down on what they have to do in the evenings. They like as much free time as they can possibly have. Aj gets up at 6. He is EASY lol.

• Once the kids are in bed. That is MY time. Now SOMETIMES after homework is done, I can go my merry little way and do whatever. ESPECIALLY when hubby is on night shift. Oh boy, I get so much done. When hubby is on day shift and we are home at the same time in the evenings, I spend time with him. Watching movies ( you know you can knit while you do that right? ;-), and that type thing lol.

• I do a LOT on my lunch. A LOT. I can cram more into one hour than some people can in an entire day lol. I have been known to go to Target and get dinner on my lunch, bring it to work and put it in the fridge until it's time to go home. I can NOT tell you how much time this saves lol. During Christmas time.....I get a LOT of my shopping done. ON MY LUNCH!

And that really is about it. Well all that I can think of anyway. I think it's such a way of life for me, that I don't really give much thought to it. Now I know I could improve in a LOT of ways, but this is life and it is a learning experience. Besides, its OKAY  :-) :-) my life really doesn't have a script...tee hee Dang this got really long....lol

Hope you guys have a fantastic weekend!!!!!!!

MY CC has a mind of its own...

No really it does.....  :-)

Yesterday was Big Bonanza Silver Day on QVC. 24 hours of NON STOP SILVER JEWERLY!!!!!

When I saw this leaf bracelet...I knew I "HAD" to have it....

And this? OMG! Just BEAUTIFUL!!!!

These bracelets were the TSV (Today's Special Value) I got the middle one....I should have gotten two....

I don't even WEAR hoops, but I LOVE these, well I do wear hoops, but I've worn the same ones for like two years. I NEVER take them out, UNLESS I need to wear a stud or something....and they come in this cute little case....

I HAD To get these....ALL Three, for like what 25 bucks? LOVE them...

LOVE THIS RING! I am NOT a big ring girl, but when I do get a ring, it's big and it's bold. I will wear this one on my right middle finger......yummy.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Peridot ring. This is REALLY going to go well with my Spring/Summer fashions.....

I went to the SB store to drop off my new LO and I just THOUGHT To myself how much I would love this:

I don't know how it got home with me....I think my CC gave it directions to my house.....

Wednesday when I got home, there was an amazon box on my front step...hmmm, I didn't order anything from Amazon, well I did, but I got it already, so what was inside????

I seem to have a fairy god sister who completely took me by surprise. I was so not expecting this....LOVE IT....how about just a COUPLE Things from inside this wonderfully wonderful book?

The photography in this book is AMAZING....

So freakin beautiful! And this right here??? OMG. NO WORDS!

And the weather here got REALLY bad. I got off work at 11 am yesterday because the schools closed at 12...when I got off the interstate, I saw this.....

I knew it was going to be a LONG afternoon. We spent the evening hunkerd down in our den watching this...

Aj took this pic lol

And here is a story on it...

ALABAMA TORNADOES

Also, I had a WONDERFUL mail day.....I had a little "PATTERN LOVE" It took me to my happy place guys....

Oh, I am going to be a BUSY woman!!! I am having to put myself on a "fabric diet". I am going to hancock today to get a $50 gift card. I will only spend $50 a month on fabric. Thread does NOT count.. ONLY fabric. So I will be PRAYING for sales! LOL

I am also about to dabble in quilting. Now, I am NOT going to make FULL size quilts, BUT I do want to make a few as baby gifts. There are a few women in my office that are SO pregnant, and I think they would really appreciate it. And not to mention that whenever Andre and Zanete decided to have a baby, between my mom and I we can make everything for the baby's room. Yes we are already brainstorming lol, and NO Zanete is NOT pregnant, or anywhere NEAR being pregnant lol

I went to my moms house the other day and she "just so happened to find" this little bag of goodies that go with my machine....

Yay! I finally have my button hole foot and a few other things I have yet to identify lol...this is going to be fun!

I finished my scarf the other day. Ummm, Tuesday I think....

and another shot...

That was fun. I am COMPLETELY DONE with scarves! I am TIRED of them. NEXT THING PLEASE!

My shrug is coming along nicely...this is the back.

I had to work it until it was 10 inches....

So right now I am shaping the armholes. I will post an updated pic of it on Monday....

I have to say I love my little pattern binder....

can't see it??

Yep, I am the queen of scratching off and making notes. Hey...it works for me! LOL

So what is next for me in the "knitting world"?
I am going to try socks. I am still torn between THIS pattern and THIS one. ANy suggestions?? You guys do know that today is my ONE MONTH KNITTING ANNIVERSARY?!? YAY! LOL

Also, I have FINALLY picked out my first project for the FITTED KNITS KNIT ALONG. I am going to be making:

I am going to use a spring/summer yarn. I will get some recommendations from my LYS on Monday, or I MIGHT go on Saturday. Just depends on what my day looks like. I really have no clue what my weekend holds lol.

Alright guys that is it, that's enough huh? LOL......have a great weekend!

I have yarn in my throat...

And this is post 401! WOW. Ok, enough of that. I was HAPPILY working on my Shrug, at work lol....

See, looking good right? Well I realized that I did NOT increase on BOTH ends. Umm, ok, that would be a problem so I had to frog it.

I want to do this RIGHT. I don't half do ANYTHING, this will be no exception. So I had to start over, but it's all good. I am happy now!! YAY!

I am half way done with my scarf. I should be finished with this tomorrow. YAY! Love big needles!!

This has to be my new favorite thing.

HAPPY , HAPPY, JOY, JOY!!! I LOVE cutting my material and patterns out with this!!! It is NOT as bad, still BAD, but NOT as bad as doing it with scissors. My life will never be the same! LOL, thanks for the suggestion girl! YAY! I am a happy camper! Can you tell???

In other news, after being on the phone with SINGER FOR ONE HOUR..mainly me holding, they found my dress form, and it should be clean and ready for me next week! YAY!!!!

Alright guys that is it for me. I spent a LOT of time last night creating. I was up very late giggling on the phone with Zanete....she is silly, and I am too, and add in the time factor, it being VERY late, we got really silly. And I am up VERY early. I had to clean my mess lol...Yep, I have a treat for you guys for IW!! Toya will have a recording up on her blog, so go by and check it out....until next time...

TOODLES!!!!!

What a weekend.....AND THIS MAKES 400 POSTS!

400 posts...wow...do I "REALLY" talk that much? ZANTETE SHUT UP! LOL Love ya sis!

WOW, mine really started off with a bang.....
Got in the van Friday morning, to take the kids to school, and we are just HIT in the face with this just TERRIBLE smell. Finally we figured out what it was...

Yes, that is milk. Milk that had been in my van for SIX days. It was a gallon of milk. THANKFULLY all of it did not spill out. I always buy two or three gallons of milk, so I really didn't miss this one. It was hidden behind the leather flap. Humph...I bet I will check under there next time.....SIX DAYS! OMG. It is all cleaned up now and smelling much better! LOL
I finished another hand towel at work on Friday lol...

I had to make sure I had the technique down, and I do, so now I am ready to move on. I started this as SOON as I finished my towel (which I did use....they are SO SOFT!)

This yarn is VERY hard to work with, but it's CUTE! This will be my mindless project while I work on my shrug. I started on it Saturday. I will update you guys with my progress. I knitted off the circulars and put this bad boy on some 11's. I want to finish this, so I can wear it.

I noticed that I am REALLY liking this color combo:

Ummm, yep, that is a top, a scarf, and a bag...just not complete...YET.

Friday night the kids REALLY had some fun...

They were blowing bubbles through straws....oh the simple things in life.... lol

Saturday morning, Hancock had a massive sale. 50% off notions...yes I had a good time...

Yes....good times...

So I started on a shirt, but did NOT finish it. I also cut out my bag for my knitting supplies. I messed up the band on my shirt, so I just put it down. I HOPE to MAYBE TRY and work on it today. We will see. BUT at the notion sale I bought something to help me pull fabric through a "tight" spot....OMG. This is like the best $2.00 I have EVER spent!! I can NOT think of the technical name for this thing, but I thought I would try it. It WAS 1/2 off...

This thing made making these ties SO EASY!!!!!!! And I LOATHE making these things!!!

You insert the long part down the tube, then this little "hook" grabs the end of the fabric, and you just take your time and pull it through. Now I will NOT be afraid to make something with spaghetti straps. GET ONE OF THESE THINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to put all of that away because I was going to meet Erica, but BEFORE I went to meet her, I had a few minutes so Tony took me to Scrap etc. OMG. I walked in to see this:

Yes loves, I was in HEAVEN! Tony could NOT understand why I was SO happy! I only walked out with this...

I SO wanted to scrap when I got home, I went to my computer, to print out a pic, and OMG, my printer printed like CRAP. Now mind you I have NEVER had trouble with my printer. I have the Epson R1800 and I SWEAR by this thing. I LOVE it. It was printing like this weird greyish, greenish color...anyone know what this is? I have recalibrated my monitor, but even when I calibrated it the first time, What I saw on my screen came out of my printer. I DID however take the pic with my new little point and shoot. Could that have anything to do with it? Chime in with your thoughts...

Ok, so after I left the SB store, I headed over to B&N to meet Mrs. Erica This lady is UBBER cool ok? She was ROCKIN this jacket she made. Just OFF THE CHAINS. My  husband was so impressed...when we left he was still asking how she got the lining in...lol...too funny. I got him to take a pic of us knitting...

She is working on this sweater that I am going to HAVE to try...once I get a LITTLE better. I started my shrug. And of COURSE we had to POSE....

That is what I have dubbed the Erica B look lol...I had a good time with you girl, can't wait to do it again...

Sooooo, the evening continues lol, Tony and I went out to dinner....had a great time...I took this cool pic...lol

Love how it "glows" lol

Sunday we had a meeting at Scrap Etc...I left home a few minutes early because I was going to run by hancock REALLY quick to get some twill tape....I parked, went in, got my tape came out. NOT EVEN TWO MINUTES...get back to the van and there is a FREAKIN HOLE IN MY TIRE!!!!! OMG! AND there was NOT a spare! I was SO PISSED! LOL, so I went back in hancock to wait on my brother to come and pick me up, so while I was in there I called Toya....I said, I bet you can't guess where I am, and she said where the SB store? I quicky responded NOPE, I told her I was stranded in Hancock lol....too funny....My brother did take me by the meeting, but I was there long enough to get the chair warm. Sorry ladies!

Then we headed to  my mom's because she cooked a B'day dinner for Corey and Jaelyn since they both share the same B'day....Zanete here is YOUR PLATE...

My mom SNAPPED. OMG. Mac and Cheese, dressing, turkey, collard greens, and potato salad....and B'day cake lol...yep, I ate like a PIG. Back to the "diet" now.

After dinner, Kayla comes RUNNING in the house to tell me that Corey was stuck in the mud...WHAT?

It was indeed stuck...and Corey, trying to get it out...

Look at all that MUD!

Too funny....

Look at how small Aj looks running down the hill...

TINY!!! LOL...and I even managed to get a picture of Peanut. My mom's kitten, well grown cat lol

This is a VERY funny cat. Seriously.

Ok guys, that is it for me. Maybe I will be able to show some progress on SOMETHING later this week! Have a great Monday!